Magistrate Charlyn Artiga yesterday ruled that there is sufficient evidence to have the two men accused of murdering British teen Dominic Bernard in 2015, to stand trial in the High Court.
Aaron Hing, also known as ‘Neutral’, 25, and Staymon George, also known as ‘Sherwin’ or ‘Stayie’, 26, were charged separately in January 2016 for Bernard’s murder. The killing reportedly occurred at Kildonan, Corentyne, on October 14, 2015 after Bernard, 18, came to Guyana to stay with his god brother, Hing. His family had said he travelled here to pursue his dream of studying film-making. However, following his arrival, there was no word from him.
Following a preliminary inquiry, Magistrate Artiga at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court yesterday, ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against the men.
After Hing and George refused to say anything or call any witnesses but chose to wait to do so at the High Court instead, the magistrate said that there is sufficient evidence against the men and committed them to stand trial at the High Court in Berbice.
Three others, accused of helping Hing following the murder were also committed to stand trial in the High Court. Krystal Thomas, called ‘Kathy’, 23, of 19 Public Road, Kildonan, Jahmeil Sinclair, called ‘Fross’, or ‘Bacchus’, 22, of Kildonan Village and Sinfine Henry, called ‘Coreen,’ 42, of Nurney Village, were all charged with murder in January 2016. It is alleged that the trio, between January 4th and January 6th, at Kildonan, Corentyne, knowing that Aaron Hing had committed the offence of murder, did receive, comfort, relieve and maintain, harbour and assist Hing. Magistrate Artiga yesterday ruled that there was sufficient evidence to have the three stand trial in the High Court for being accessories after the fact.
The five accused were represented by attorney Nigel Hughes.
Bernard had travelled from London to Guyana on October 14, 2015. His father had said that the teen was supposed to have been visiting his god brother Hing but there was no trace of him after he cleared customs. A body suspected to be that of Bernard’s, was discovered on January 8, 2016 in the backlands of Nurney, which is located next to Kildonan. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed that it was indeed his remains.
Hing and George are accused of murdering him, bludgeoning him to death and burying his body in a shallow grave just a few hours after his arrival in the country. The three others are accused of having knowledge after the fact, since they were allegedly found hiding items that belonged to the deceased.
Bernard’s mother, Linda Bernard, 54, who was present yesterday at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, told Stabroek News that she now feels a sense of “relief.”
“This is a big step forward. It’s a step forward for justice for my son and it’s massive,” she said. “I’m just so pleased with the outcome. We will all breathe a sigh of relief that it is going to the High Court,” she added.
