No one has been appointed to lead the prosecution in the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the treason charges against Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major Bruce Munroe, his wife Carol Ann Munroe and ex-soldier Leonard Wharton.
Assistant Superintendant of Police Fazil Karimbaksh apologised to acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday for not being able to identify a prosecutor or when the police would be prepared to lead its case, saying that the investigation was still ongoing. “Sorry I can’t make a pronouncement on that at this time,” he told the court, adding that he was embarrassed at not being able to furnish the court with the relevant details. “Investigations are not yet complete, it is nearing completion,” he explained.
Attorney Nigel Hughes, who is representing the Munroes, expressed disappointment at what he termed “an unacceptable and poor response” by the police at such an early stage in the case. He also emphasised that it was unacceptable for the police to say that investigations are not yet complete as they have already instituted a charge against his clients.
Hughes also made an application for both the audio-visual materials and transcripts relating to the case be made available to the defence. Hughes said the material is of integral importance as the defence is entitled to every piece of information and evidence in order for it to properly prepare its case. The lawyer said too that a copy of the letter containing this request had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and a copy was also made available to the police. Karimbaksh, who told the court that he had received the letter, said that it was sent to his superiors.
Hughes also renewed his application for Carol Ann Munroe to be given medical attention to treat her schizophrenia. Hughes, who said that the woman is being kept in solitary confinement, also asked that she be removed from such detention as it is a threat to her condition.
At the initial hearing, Hughes told the court that the woman suffers from schizophrenia and he requested that she be given the opportunity of an independent medical assessment so that there would be no quarrels about the validity of the claim. The magistrate had granted the request but her directions were not adhered to by the authorities.
A firm Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday demanded an answer from Karimbaksh as to why the order regarding the woman’s had not been followed. He said that he was not aware of what progress had been made since he thought that that request was being fulfilled by prison authorities. “I didn’t follow up to see if it was done. I thought it was with the prison authorities,” Karimbaksh explained. The magistrate reminded him that she had endorsed on the woman’s warrant that she be granted medical attention and she firmly ordered Karimbaksh to ensure that the request be met in an expeditious manner.
Sewnarine-Beharry adjourned the case until January 21 and made it clear to Karimbaksh that on that day the report as to who will prosecute and when the PI will commence must be provided to the court. She also said that the police must be in a position to pronounce on the transcript and audio-visual materials being made available to the defence.
Bruce Munroe is a serving member of the GDF, while Wharton is a former member and also the owner of La Chalet Guest House. Carol Ann Munroe, 39, a mother of three, is the headmistress of the Young Achievers Academy, a private school.
Yesterday, students of the Young Achievers Academy came out in their numbers to protest her arrest and incarceration. The students, who were accompanied by their teachers, parents and other persons, chanted softly outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in peaceful protest for the Munroes to be freed. They spoke too of how much they loved and missed their headmistress. They carried placards stating, “Miss we love you,” “Praying for both of you,” and “Miss please come back.”
The protest attracted a heavy police presence both in and out the court compound.
The trio is charged with trying to overthrow the government. According to the particulars of the charge, between December 1, 2009 and December 16, 2010, at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, they intended to level war within Guyana to force the President out of his office, in order to compel the Government of Guyana to change its measures.
They have not been required to plead but their lawyers have said the charges are baseless and trumped-up.
