A taxi driver was yesterday remanded after being charged with the murder of Ronald Omar Smith on Camp Street in George-town, in the course of a robbery.
Allistair Naughton, 43, was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the George-town Magistrate’s Court where he was remanded after being read the indictable charge.
The particulars of the charge state that on May 28, at Camp Street, Georgetown, he murdered Smith, 40, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.
According to the police prosecutor, Smith had been in the company of his fiancée, awaiting a taxi at Camp Street, when the defendant and another approach-ed them while on a motorcycle. The prosecutor told the court that Smith was relieved of $430,000 before one of the men who were robbing him discharged two rounds which hit him.
This newspaper had previously reported that the driver, who was a suspect at the time, had accompanied Smith during his errands. The police said that Smith, who was a resident of Wakapau, Pomeroon, Essequibo, was shot dead as he was visiting his girlfriend after selling a quantity of gold. The attack occurred around 4.25pm.
The police report had stated that Smith had made several stops using a car and was conducting business in and out of the city in the company of a miner, who was the driver of the vehicle PZZ 6065. According to the initial report, Smith had sold a quantity of gold and placed some $437,000 in cash in a haversack and later went to visit his girlfriend. While Smith and his girlfriend were standing in the vicinity of the Impeccable Beauty Salon, they were confronted by two men on a white motorcycle. The pillion rider dismounted and discharged two rounds at Smith, who as a result fell to the ground, while the suspect grabbed the haversack and made good his escape with his accomplice.
Smith was rushed the George-town Public Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention. His body bore three circular wounds to the upper left shoulder, the middle region of the stomach and another in his right armpit.
This newspaper had also reported that the shooting was recorded by a nearby security camera which the police have been using to assist with their investigations.
