David Persaud, the truck driver charged over four months ago with causing the death of a police constable by dangerous driving, will have to lead a defence at his trial after a court yesterday found that a case has been made out against him.
Persaud, 25, of Lots 94-97 First Hill, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, is on trial for causing the death of Constable 22349 Edson Williams by driving his truck in a dangerous manner on July 6th at Provi-dence Plantation Road, East Bank Demerara.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday ruled that after considering all the evidence given throughout the trial, she was satisfied that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Persaud and therefore called upon him to lead his defence.
Attorney Glenn Hanoman, who has been representing the accused, made an application for a short adjournment, which was granted. As a result, Persaud is now expected to lead his defence at the next hearing, which is scheduled for December 9th.
Constable Williams, 19, of Lot 113, Number 53 Village, Berbice, was killed when his head was crushed by a sand truck while he was assisting in making preparations for the ‘Soca on the Beach’ show at HJ Water World, located at Providence.
The dead man’s aunt had told Stabroek News that although she wasn’t present when the accident occurred, she was told that Edson was in the process of placing barricades on the access road to the water park when the truck, which was laden with sand and was heading to a nearby construction site, struck him down.
