A former member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was on Friday committed to stand trial for murder of businessman Godfrey ‘Sagga’ Scipio, while his co-accused was freed of the charge.
At the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry into the charge against the two men, Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo Azore committed former Corporal Derwin Eastman to stand trial at the High Court, while she freed former Constable Jameson Williams.
The charge against the two policemen stated that on October 12, 2017, at Stanley Place and David Street, Kitty, they murdered Scipio, a well-known businessman, in the course or furtherance of a robbery.
Another man, Aubrey Bobb, was also charged with the murder. He is currently awaiting trial at the High Court for the crime.
In November last year, Magistrate Azore ruled that a prima facie case had been made against the two men. As a result, the men opted to lead a defence. However, during yesterday’s hearing, Magistrate Azore freed Williams, who was represented by attorneys Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt. Todd had previously told this newspaper that his client has an alibi and would be using that in his defence.
Eastman was represented by attorneys Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels.
Scipio, of Lot ‘ZZ’ 22 D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was shot once in his abdomen during the fatal attack. He succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Woodlands Hospital. A lone gunman pounced on Scipio and a female companion as they were leaving a nearby hotel and demanded cash and jewellery. The gunman discharged a round, hitting Scipio to the abdomen, and then relieved him of the jewellery before escaping on foot.
