A visibly battered Travis Hyman appeared in court yesterday charged with the stabbing to death of Mahaicony mechanic Alvy Richmond and his worried relatives are urging the police to take him to the hospital for medical attention.
Based on what Stabroek News was told by relatives last evening, officials at the prison refused to accept the man in his present condition and more so without a medical certificate. He was later returned to the lock-ups at the Cove and John Police Station.
Attempts to make contact with Division Commander Christopher Griffith and Crime Chief Leslie James were futile.
Hyman, age 30, of South Ruimveldt and Perth Village, Mahaicony is accused of committing the murder on June 21. He appeared before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court. He was remanded to prison until September 1.
A relative told this newspaper that the man suffered injuries at the hands of persons in the village and was subsequently
taken into police custody. A sibling had visited the Mahaicony Police Station where he was being held but was unable to see him as the police said that they were conducting inquiries into the death.
The relative said that when Hyman arrived at court, he was unable to stand or walk on his own and had to be assisted into the dock by two policemen. According to the man, there were visible injuries about his body and one of his eyes was swollen.
He told Stabroek News that when the matter was called, given the fact that he could not stand, the magistrate allowed him to remain seated while she read the charge. He said that the magistrate subsequently attempted to get particulars such as age and address from Hyman but he was unable to respond. It was at this point she inquired from the police about his condition and it was related to the court that Hyman had been beaten by villagers. The relative said that the magistrate then inquired whether the defendant had received medical attention and the police said that he was treated and sent away. Stabroek News was later able to verify that the man was seen by a doctor at the Mahaicony Hospital.
Based on what the relative said no medical certificate was presented to the court. The man said that he has been unable to speak to Hyman so he is unable to verify this.
Asked if he felt that given what he saw yesterday that Hyman needed to be hospitalized, the relatives responded in the affirmative stating that he needs medical attention as it is clear that he cannot speak or stand. The relative said that he is particularly worried that Hyman may be locked up in a cell for the entire weekend which could be detrimental. He called on the police to take the man back to the hospital.
Reports are that the stabbing occurred during a row over the use of the washroom. Hyman shares a relationship with Richmond’s sister.
Ernestine Richmond, the dead man’s mother had told Stabroek News that her son had returned home from work around 5.30 pm and exclaimed that he needed to use the washroom badly. However when he arrived at the washroom he found the door closed. Apparently Hyman was taking a bath at the time.
Richmond began pounding loudly on the door and an argument soon developed. Sometime later, Richmond was seen with a knife sticking out of his chest.
