Miner Delon Emmanuel, who police say shot at a Brazilian national during a confrontation at a city hotel, was remanded to prison yesterday on weapons charges.
But Emmanuel, 21, claimed that he fired the gun by accident as he pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1.
Emmanuel faces three charges. It is alleged that on May 27, 2015, at Light Street, he maliciously discharged a loaded gun towards Hilton Carlos De Souza. It is also alleged that on the same day he had a 9mm Taurus Pistol as well as five rounds of 9mm ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.
The prosecution’s case is that Emmanuel went to the room of a hotel on Light Street and knocked on the door. De Souza answered and an argument ensued between the two men, during which Emmanuel drew the gun and fired a shot towards De Souza. The prosecution contends that a scuffle followed and De Souza wrestled with Emmanuel and disarmed him. Emmanuel was then taken to the police and was arrested and charged.
Police had earlier said Emmanuel had held up De Souza at a city hotel and demanded cash. However, De Souza had put up a resistance and managed to overpower his assailant.
The prosecution objected to bail given the seriousness and prevalence of the matter and Emmanuel was denied bail and remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. His next court date is June 15th.
