Orpheus Johnson, the accused in the murder of Nandy Park miner Travis Rudder, flew into a fit of anger and cursed at the magistrate yesterday after he was committed to stand trial for the crime.
The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) which commenced on September 8, 2016 came to an end after the testimony of police witness Tremaine Thomas, who is stationed at the East Ruimveldt Police Station.
The charge against the accused alleges that on June 21, 2015, he murdered Rudder, at his home at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara.
Thomas identified three exhibits shown to him by Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves.
Subsequent to this being done, the matter was set down, and recalled later in the day when Magistrate Judy Latchman stated that a prima facie case was made out against the defendant for the offence of murder.
He was then committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes to be held at the High Court.
Johnson was then asked by the magistrate to sign documents but told her that he wouldn’t be signing anything.
As the defendant made his way from the court docks, seemingly in a rage, he began to curse and asked the Magistrate, “What evidence you gat fi commit me?” He had to be forcefully taken by officers to the prisoners’ chute.
As the magistrate quickly retreated to her chambers, the orderly’s “All rise, this court is now adjourned,” was drowned out by the defendant’s shouting. Johnson was so enraged that he began to kick the door of the chute, resulting in splinters of wood flying about and damage to the moulding of one of the walls.
Some police officers ran into the courtroom while others ran into the chute to control the angry prisoner.
Johnson was eventually taken into the court lockups and calm was restored.
