The trial of the five men accused of burning down the Ministry of Health building is listed among some 218 criminal cases scheduled to be heard in the Demerara Assizes, which opened yesterday at the Supreme Court, in Georgetown.
Colin Jones, Randy Mars, Jafar Simpson, Basil Morgan and Anthony Watson stand indicted for setting the Ministry of Health on fire. The case is listed for hearing before Justice Roxane George.
Justices George, Navindra Singh, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Jo-Ann Barlow will be presiding over the criminal matters to be heard in the October Assizes, which is now in the last of four sessions for the year.
Of the total number of cases, some 55 each are to be heard by Justices George and Barlow; while Justices Sewnarine-Beharry and Singh will preside over approximately 53 and 54 of the matters, respectively.
Of all the cases to be heard, there are some 149 murders; seven attempted murders; three manslaughters; 21 carnal knowledge; six rape; two buggery; and one incest. Additionally, there is one armed robbery, one abduction and one unlawful and malicious wounding charge as well as a few for setting fire to buildings.
Among the cases to be heard by Justice Barlow is “abduction with intent to hold for ransom,” for which Rajah Persaud, Denswick Booker, Kant Handowar and Michael Henry are to be indicted.
Meanwhile, scheduled to appear before Justice Sewnarine-Beharry is former Guyana Teachers’ Union President Colwyn King, who is to stand trial for carnally knowing a girl between the ages of 15 and 16 years old.
The Berbice criminal assizes is expected to open on October 20th, with 53 cases listed to be heard before Justice William Ramlal. The Essequibo Criminal Assizes, which is scheduled to commence on October 27th, will be presided over by Justice Brassington Reynolds.
