The lawyers for the three accused in the 2008 Bartica massacre, where 12 men were killed, are slated to begin their closing addresses to the jury on Monday when the trial continues at the High Court in Georgetown.
The charges against Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie,” Dennis Williams, called “Anaconda,” and Roger Simon, called “Goat Man,” are that on February 17, 2008, they murdered Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne, as well as Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas, and Baldeo Singh.
Justice Roxane George SC, who is presiding over the trial, yesterday noted that addresses will commence at 9.30am with defence attorney Roger Yearwood.
He will be followed by attorneys Saphier Hussain and Peter Hugh. Mark Royden, Dennis and Simon are represented by Yearwood, Hussain and Hugh, respectively.
After the defence lawyers make their submissions, the prosecution will then present its address to the jury, which is likely to be done on Tuesday. The state’s case is being presented by Prosecutors Diana Kaulesar and Stacy Goodings.
The state’s case is that the three men were part of a gang that attacked the police station first, killing the three policemen. They then reportedly took the vehicle assigned to the station and went on a rampage, terrorising the community and murdering the nine others before making their getaway with weapons, precious minerals and cash.
The accused, in leading their respective defences, have all professed their innocence, while maintaining that they were never at Bartica on the night in question.
Meanwhile, Dennis Williams, who on Thursday refused to attend court, was again a no-show at yesterday’s hearing.
Chief Prison Officer Roddy Denhart yesterday reported to the court that the situation had not changed as the accused continued to refuse to attend court.
On Thursday, the trial was delayed by two hours due to Williams’ absence.
Denhart had reported that the accused had refused to leave his cell or get dressed, while stating that he was not going to court and that “the judge can go ahead and try the case.”
Denhart has said that despite all efforts from prison officials, they were unable to get Williams to attend court.
