Two men, Roberto Miggins and Quacy Benjamin, were yesterday charged with the recent murders of two miners at Port Kaituma, in the North West District.
Miggins, 25, and Benjamin, 32, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and they were read charges for the murders of miners Mario Pozzer and Hilary Smith, which they allegedly committed between October 12 and October 14.
It is alleged that between October 12 and October 13, at 10 Miles Backdam, they murdered Pozzer, a Brazilian national, and on October 14, at Mazawini Backdam, in the course or furtherance of a robbery, they murdered Smith.
Neither Miggins nor Benjamin was required to enter a plea for the indictable charges.
Attorney Euclin Gomes appeared on behalf of Miggins and requested that the matters be transferred to the Matthews Ridge court, since his client currently has a pending matter there.
Miggins was previously charged in June and released on bail for the alleged possession of a gun and ammunition at Port Kaituma. His release on bail was recently cited by acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine as an imprudent decision by the judiciary.
Both defendants were remanded and the matter was adjourned to November 2, when it would be heard at the Matthews Ridge court.
The bullet-riddled body of Pozzer was found at 10 Miles, Port Kaituma next to the ATV he was using to get to his camp on October 13 by persons using the road.
Smith, meanwhile, of Pomeroon River, Region Two, was shot and killed during a camp invasion at Mazawini, Port Kaituma, North West District on October 14.
Reports revealed that gunmen, armed with high-powered rifles, entered the camp and opened fire. After the gunmen had made good their escape with a quantity of raw gold, Smith’s body was discovered with several gunshot wounds.
