A miner was yesterday charged with two murders, armed robbery as well as possession of a gun and drugs.
Mark Atkinson, 37, of Red Hill, North West District, claimed that at least one of the murders was committed in self-defence during his arraignment yesterday.
It is alleged that on June 3, 2014 at Blackwater Backdam, he murdered Devon Anderson.
Further, it is alleged that he murdered Daniel Lima, between August 12 and August 13, 2015 at Burning Spur, Konawaruk River.
Police had said that Atkinson was arrested at Mawasie Backdam, Mahdia and that he was wanted for questioning in the investigations of two murders that occurred at Konawaruk, Region 8 and Mawasie Backdam, Region 7.
A source close to the investigation had told Stabroek News that the man confessed that he murdered Lima.
Additionally, it was alleged yesterday that on September 17, at Burning Spur, Konawaruk River, while being armed with a gun, Atkinson robbed Shawn Simpson of 8 ounces of raw gold, which was valued $800,000 and belonged to Linden Garcia.
No particulars of either of the charges were read in court and he was not required to enter a plea as the charges were indictable.
Atkinson, however, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful possession of a revolver and six live rounds of ammunition, as well as possession of cannabis for trafficking.
According to prosecution’s facts, Atkinson was taken into custody after police, who were tipped off, visited an abandoned building at Mawasie Landing and observed the accused leaving with a haversack on his back. He was intercepted and the haversack was searched, resulting in the discovery of the loaded gun as well as 340 grammes of cannabis.
Atkinson told the court that he indeed had the gun and ammunition in his possession but that they had belonged to the murdered Lima. He further explained that he killed Lima in what he described as a bid to defend himself from the man, whom he said constantly “violated” him.
The source told Stabroek News that Atkinson had told ranks that there was a fight during which the man discharged rounds at him. During the scuffle, he said, the deceased fell to the ground and hit his head and later died. He told detectives that he later fled with the man’s bike and his gun.
A post-mortem examination had revealed that Lima died as a result of blunt trauma.
In relation to Anderson’s death, police had said their investigations revealed that he and another man were involved in an argument during which he was shot and killed.
In relation to the drug possession charge, Atkinson yesterday denied that he was trafficking the cannabis; rather, he claimed to be using it to help with his asthma.
On the two weapon charges, Atkinson was sentenced to a year in prison and fined $5,000 on each count. He also received a three-year sentence and a $510,000 fine for the possession of cannabis.
The sentences are expected to run concurrently.
Atkinson was remanded on the murder charges and is expected to make his next court appearance at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on October 20.
