Shurlon Austin, the Guyanese scholarship student who allegedly murdered a man and slit a woman’s throat in Cuba, remains in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon.
Austin, of Pattensen, South Sophia, allegedly committed the acts during an argument over the price of a watch with the owner of the Havana store where he went to buy the watch. Sources said the man’s wife later intervened. Austin reportedly stabbed the man at least 11 times before turning his knife on the woman.
Stabroek News yesterday contacted Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford, who said that Austin is doing “fine” and added that embassy officials continue to visit him. She pointed out that the matter is scheduled to go to court shortly.
Westford noted that the mother of the suspect is also in contact with officials from her ministry, who are updating her on the matter.
In addition to this, she added that the condition of the woman who was injured during the attack is also improving.
Austin left Guyana in 2006 at the age of 24 and was scheduled to complete the Cuba-leg of his studies over the next few months.
Thereafter, he would have returned to Guyana to complete his final year of studies before graduation.
