The man who allegedly murdered Debra Blackman, the waitress who was shot dead at the Chinese Delicious Restaurant on D’Urban Street three years ago, was yesterday brought before a city magistrate and charged with the crime, along with the attempted murder of former magistrate Fazil Azeez.
Confined to a wheelchair, Shelton George, 22, was brought before Magistrate Judy Latchman where he was read a charge which stated that on August 23, 2014, at D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, he murdered Debra Blackman.
Attorney Nigel Duke who is representing the defendant on the murder charge, requested that his client be granted a speedy trial since he has a spinal injury which requires 24-hour medical attention. Duke added that there is a video tape recording which is alleged to contain footage of the defendant, but there is no eyewitness to the crime. He said that the tape is three years old and of poor quality.
George, of 146 South Better Hope, told the court that he was shot whilst he was in Suriname, and currently, he has a robbery matter at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
Blackman, called ‘Debbie,’ of Critchlow Circle, Tucville is believed to have sustained a single bullet wound to the head.
Based on the recorded video footage from the restaurant, at least one camera captured clear images of the shooter, along with two other men who appeared to be his accomplices.
The footage showed a young man, dressed in a grey tee shirt, dark coloured pants and a red cap, entering the restaurant and standing by the counter.
The individual, who turned out to be the shooter, remained standing at the counter and can be seen constantly glancing around. Although he was wearing the cap, on several occasions, his face can be clearly seen.
Seconds after the shooting, the man was seen walking out of the restaurant and subsequently he jumped onto a CG motor cycle which sped away from the scene.
A second charge was read to George, which stated that on April 25, 2015, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he discharged a loaded firearm at former Magistrate Azeez with the intent to murder him.
Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves informed the court that Azeez remains bedridden as a result of the injuries he suffered from the shooting. He then objected to bail being granted, based on the fact that the complainant is bedridden, the prevalence of the offence and the defendant’s pending matter.
George was subsequently remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on February 16.
It is believed that on the day of the attempted robbery, Azeez resisted and was shot in his abdomen by the armed man, who later escaped after persons rushed out from nearby, upon hearing the gunshot.
