Anthony Jones, the farmer who was charged with the murder of Nyron Vyphuis, a Yarrowkabra labourer last October, was today committed to stand trial for the crime.
It is alleged that Jones, of Circuit Ville, Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, on October 13th, 2018 murdered Vyphuis. Jones was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge.
Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus made her ruling yesterday after police prosecutor Shellon Daniels closed the prosecution’s case.
Prior to closing her case, the prosecutor requested that the statement of witness Elroy Watson be tendered into evidence after several efforts to locate him proved futile. This request was granted by the Magistrate after hearing supporting evidence from Corporal 18927 Victor Bajnee, who would have attempted to serve a summons on the witness, and evidence by Lance Corporal Rodwell Chapman, who is stationed at the Golden Grove Police Station.
Subsequent to finding a prima facie case against the accused, the court asked if he wished to say anything to which he responded “ I’m innocent of this case that has been made out against me…I’m going to say what I have to say at the High Court.”
Jones was then committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes. He will remain on remand until that time.
The accused was represented by attorney James Bond.
It was reported that Jones, on the day in question, was quarrelling with his common-law wife and was about to hit her when Vyphuis intervened and stopped him from hitting her. An argument ensued and the suspect allegedly inflicted a fatal stab with a knife to Vyphuis’ stomach.
