Days after they were arrested, three men who are accused of setting fire to a building which housed the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office at Wismar, Linden almost a year ago were yesterday remanded to prison after they were charged with the crime.
Teon February, called ‘Nut’, 23, a labourer of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, Marlon Hunter called ‘Bushy’, 21, of Fourth Street, Silver Town, Wismar, Linden and Byron Kendall called ‘Murgie’, 48, a businessman of Kara Kara, Linden, were charged jointly.
They appeared virtually before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.
The joint charge states that on July 14, 2020, at Lot 2 Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden, they unlawfully and maliciously set fire to the building which housed the GECOM office.
The three men were not required to plead to the charge.
A fourth man, William Roy Marshall, who is alleged to be the mastermind of the crime, was arrested on Thursday night. He remained in police custody up to late yesterday.
Police sources yesterday told Stabroek News that during questioning, Kendall also reportedly admitted to the crime and told investigators that it was Marshall who allegedly orchestrated the crime and provided the funds to have the building burnt.
Marshall, 51, of Independence Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden is the driver of Regional Chairman Deron Adams.
At Friday’s arraignment Hunter was represented by attorney Yondessa Welcome-Mercurius, who told the court that the only offence her client was ever convicted for was breaching the COVID-19 curfew.
During her bail application, Welcome-Mercurius reminded the court that the offence is bailable.
She said Hunter is not a flight risk and has been cooperating with the police since his arrest. As a result, she asked for bail to be considered in a reasonable sum.
However, Police Prosecutor Adunni Inniss argued that while the offence is bailable, the crime took place on July 14, 2020 and the police were only able to arrest the suspects two days ago.
She suggested that if granted bail, the accused are likely not to return to court.
In addition, Prosecutor Inniss said that the police are still investigating other matters against the suspects and new charges and likely to be laid in the new week.
She also noted that the torched building was a public one which housed important information.
In response, Welcome-Mercurius said Hunter’s father operates a wash bay situated on the public road. She said Hunter is present at this location almost every day.
Welcome-Mercurius further stated that at no point was her client in hiding. Instead, she said, he was unaware that he was being investigated by the police until his arrest.
After listening to both sides, the magistrate remanded the three men. The matter was adjourned until July 30.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Thursday confirmed that February and Hunter were arrested by the police on Monday.
During questioning, they reportedly admitted their involvement in the crime and implicated two others, including Kendall.
February and Hunter reportedly told the police that Kendall promised them the sum of $150,000 once the act was completed.
February claimed that Kendall reportedly told him that the reason for the act was because GECOM was taking too long to swear in former President David Granger.
February was yesterday charged separately with a number of other crimes, including the illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of a quantity of ammunition.
The other charges included two counts of break and enter and larceny, two counts of simple larceny and one count of burglary. February denied three of these charges while he was not required to plead to the others.
The fire was set at the building Lot 2 Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden on July 14, 2020. GECOM’s office was situated in the top flat of the building, while the lower flat was unoccupied.
A guard who had heard an explosion had seen two men fleeing the scene. An alarm was raised and the Guyana Fire Service was summoned. Quick action by fire-fighters prevented the fire from spreading. Nothing was saved.
