A shopkeeper was yesterday charged with the murder of an indigenous village leader.
It is alleged that on January 1, 2019, at Kurutuku Village, Addison Benjamin, 27, of Lima Essequibo Coast, murdered Toshao Solomon Lewis.
Benjamin, who appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, was not required to plead to the charge. He was represented by attorney Dexter Todd, who told the court that his client was defending himself from the deceased, his son (Marvin Lewis) and another man.
According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, at about 3.30 pm on the said date, Benjamin and Lewis were involved in a heated argument, after Benjamin allegedly assaulted Lewis’ daughter.
The facts also stated that Benjamin gave Lewis a chop to his neck with a cutlass, resulting in his death.
It was further stated that Benjamin also injured Marvin Lewis and is yet to face another charge for attempted murder of the man.
The accused was remanded to jail and was told to return to court on January 28, 2019 for disclosure.
