Before the post-mortem examination was done on the body of slain robber Randy Morris, family members say they counted at least fourteen bullet holes on his body, including several to his head.
Even though Morris, who was before the courts on numerous armed robbery charges had “his ways,” members of his family said that he did not deserve such a brutal death, especially when he had reportedly surrendered after leading the police on a chase through several city streets.
The post-mortem examination had given Morris’s cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Contacted yesterday, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Stabroek News that an investigation was launched since the night of the incident and several statements have already been taken. Persaud could not recall the number of times the man had been shot.
Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Cecil Kennard said that he is yet to receive the file on the incident from the police and this may take some time.
Morris’s mother, June-Ann Morris, told this newspaper that she wants justice for her son. “They killed my son and no one ever come to me. They are supposed to come to me, not me going to them,” the upset woman said.
She recalled the 14 to 15 gunshot wounds seen about her son’s body prior to the post-mortem examination, while noting that the family took photographs. Those photographs were shown to this newspaper and gunshot wounds to the head, arm and abdomen were visible. The photographs also showed damage to the body.
Morris said that she is unsure what to expect now, while adding that prior to his death, her son had complained many times to top police officials that he was being targeting by ranks. She said that in light of his previous complaints, she does not believe it makes any sense to lodge a complaint about the manner in which he was killed.
“He surrender,” she emphasised, adding that she received this information from eyewitnesses who said that the man was holding on to a fence while being beaten by the ranks. She alleged that her son, who had his hands in the air, was later shot.
She said that after the man had surrendered, persons who had gathered were chased away by the police. The woman said that the whole ordeal has left her so stressed that she has since moved out of town to “get away from it. I still looking for justice. He didn’t do nothing.”
Meanwhile, Morris’ brother, Earle, told this newspaper that the doctor or the police did not tell them how many times he was shot. He said his brother was shot at close range.
“I waiting fuh see wha de police gon do,” he said. He said that based on what he was told, the police “chase he down and shoot he down like an animal”.
He said that after Morris surrendered, he took off his jersey and his hat. It was then the beating began and then he was later shot. Earle said that he is keeping his fingers crossed that he will get some justice.
On June 23, Morris was shot dead following a daring attempted robbery in Regent Street and a dramatic chase through several streets. But the quick police work that led to his capture and that of his accomplice was heavily criticised by eyewitnesses, who said Morris was riddled with bullets as he pleaded for his life.
Police had said that Morris and Troyan Moore, 25, of 11-11 D’Urban Street, Wortman-ville, attempted to rob Bourda Market vendor Nandranie Sookwah. Reports are that Sookwah was going to her car when the duo approached and snatched her bag, which contained $400,000.
The woman held on to her bag, at which point Moore reportedly pulled a gun and began hitting the woman to the head while ordering her to be quiet. Reports are that the woman blacked out and the duo ran away minus the bag. They boarded a car, which was parked on Cummings Street.
Based on the accounts of eye witnesses, two policemen on motor cycle who were in the area at the time, gave chase. The ranks, during the chase, informed Brickdam Operations Room about the attempted robbery. Police mobile patrols were alerted via the radio network and they quickly responded.
The witnesses added that the men turned into Church Street and headed west, driving illegally along the one-way street. They met a parked cement mixer truck in the roadway that had caused a traffic build-up, which forced them to abandon their vehicle.
Moore surrendered while Morris scaled a fence and ended up in an alleyway, where he was cornered by the lawmen. It was here that he was shot multiple times before being rushed to Georgetown Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Moore was later charged with attempting to commit armed robbery and his attorney told the court that his client was badly beaten while in police custody.
