The final prosecution witness in the trial of Allister Woolford, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who is charged with fatally shooting his friend, Devon Howell, is expected to testify today.
Woolford has pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter. It is alleged that on November 21st, 2014, at Kitty, he fatally shot Howell.
The trial, which is being heard by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court, began on Monday with multiple witnesses taking the stand to identify the gun used to shoot Woolford.
Meanwhile, state pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh is expected to enter the witness box today to give evidence relating to the cause of Howell’s death.
On November 21st, 2014, Howell, formerly of 87 Da Silva Street, Kitty and four other young men were in a house on D’Andrade Street where they were taking turns in “feeling the gun”.
It was during this gun play that the gun allegedly went off and Howell was shot in his neck. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he eventually succumbed almost three weeks after the incident. His upper spinal cord was reportedly damaged as a result of the shot and he never regained consciousness.
After Howell died at the hospital, the charge of attempted murder was withdrawn against Woolford and he faced a new charge of manslaughter.
Representing Woolford during the trial is attorney Compton Richardson, while prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Mandel Moore are appearing on behalf of the state.
