Sherwin Stewart, the prison officer charged with fatally beating a man at the Linden/Soesdyke Highway junction, was released on bail yesterday after a new charge of manslaughter was read against him.
The murder charge that was instituted against Stewart in November last year was withdrawn yesterday upon a recommendation by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Stewart, of 199 Fire Station Road, is accused of killing Anthony Narine, 28, on November 11.
Before the commencement of the hearing before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Prosecutor Bharat Mangru withdrew the murder charge based on the DPP’s advice.
Mangru said Stewart and Narine were conversing when they had a disagreement and a fight ensued, which resulted in the death of Narine.
He objected to bail because a life was lost and he said Stewart might flee Guyana if granted bail.
Stewart’s lawyer Nigel Hughes, however, asked for bail for his client while noting that no weapon was used in the fight between the two men. He also pointed out that Stewart’s autopsy revealed that his death was a result of a blood clot to his head.
Hughes noted that his client was never charged before and maintained that he did not pose a risk of flight.
The Chief Magistrate eventually granted the accused $500,000 bail. However, Hughes asked the magistrate to be more lenient. After listening to the lawyer’s plea, the Chief Magistrate dropped bail to $400,000.
Stewart will return to court on February 16.
Amrita Singh, Narine’s wife, had told Stabroek News that Narine said that he was alright after the altercation with Stewart, who had reportedly become enraged at being taunted by a group of men about his wife. She said Narine complained of feeling unwell the next morning and he was subsequently rushed to Woodlands Hospital, where he was hospitalised until his death.
