A cattle farmer of Alness, Corentyne who says he was shot early Christmas morning was yesterday charged with the Christmas Eve night robbery and murder of Berbice fireman, 29-year-old Delon Collins.
The court heard that Hallman Hunte who appeared before Magistrate Krishndat Persaud at the Mibicuri Court committed “murder contrary to common law” and “murder with furtherance of robbery [two counts] under arms” at Alness.
Hunte was reportedly shot by three men who were dressed in “black clothing” and was a patient of the New Amsterdam (NA) Hospital.
Reports are that Collins of Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam and Nadine Crawford, 32, of Alness were reportedly attacked around 11:15 pm on Christmas Eve.
It is alleged that the assailant stole jewellery and a small amount of cash from Crawford and cash from Collins before fatally shooting him. He died from a single wound to his chest.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Michael Grant told the court that on the night of the shooting, Collins who was driving the woman’s car PMM 6332 had gone shopping with her and her three children at Rose Hall.
They had just returned to her home and she and the children exited the vehicle to open the gate while Collins was parking the car when the bandits attacked them.
After he was shot he was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Hunte was arrested sometime after and taken to the police station where an ID parade was held and he was picked out.
He was represented by attorney-at-law, Ramesh Rajkumar who asked for a speedy trial. The magistrate then ordered him to return to the Whim Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
The police had issued a wanted bulletin for 23-year-old Sohan Busgith of Limlair Village in connection with Collins’ death.
Meanwhile, Hunte had told this newspaper that the men, dressed in black clothing went to his home the evening before and inquired if he had their sheep. He told them that he did not and they left.
He said he got up early the next morning to prepare to go to work with a rice farmer at Black Bush Polder when he was shot. He would normally return around 9:30 am to tend to his cattle.
He recalled that he was returning from the outhouse when he heard what sounded like “stamping” and then saw three persons running towards him. They told him “you tek abe sheep” and fired the shot and fled. He said he ran into the kitchen and closed the door.
