The prime suspect and his accomplice, who were arrested during the investigation into the murder of Dr Colin Roach, are expected to be charged today.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum last night confirmed to Stabroek News that the police received legal advice to charge Hilton Oliver Junior Franklin, 25, and Lenrick Mosai Byass, 18, with murder.
Two of Roach’s employees who were also arrested as part of the investigation have been released.
Stabroek News understands that the employees who were the first to be detained will not be charged since there is no evidence linking them to the crime.
The lifeless body of Roach was discovered at his Kingston, Georgetown International Medical Clinic around 10.30 pm last Tuesday.
An autopsy later revealed that Roach died as a result of multiple blunt trauma to the head.
Franklin and Byass were arrested hours apart on Friday.
Police had confirmed that Franklin was apprehended in Berbice. At the time, he was at the “back track” route, attempting to flee to Suriname.
Byass was arrested at his Camp Street, Georgetown workplace.
During questioning, both men reportedly admitted to their roles in the crime and provided detectives with detailed ac-counts of what transpired.
Stabroek News was previously informed that Franklin told investigators that he struck Roach in his head after he made unwanted sexual advances towards him.
Meanwhile, Byass allegedly claimed that he helped Franklin to rob Roach after he was killed. They relieved him of two finger rings, US$600 and two cellular phones.
Police recovered the two rings and US$200 in Franklin’s possession while Byass was found with $42,000 in cash.
Franklin also led investigators to an area in his Best Village, West Bank Deme-rara backyard where one of the stolen phones was recovered.
Based on information provided by the suspects, they were drinking with Roach prior to the murder.
Investigators were able to obtain surveillance footage from a city mini-mart which captured Roach and the suspects purchasing alcohol. It was when they returned to Roach’s office that the killing occurred.
This newspaper was further told that Franklin and Byass left the scene together in Roach’s Audi vehicle.
The following morning, police recovered the vehicle on the Schoonord Road, West Bank Deme-rara. The front bumper, keys and number plate were missing.
Byass told the police that during their journey over the Demerara Har-bour Bridge they discarded the murder weapon, the camera from Roach’s office and bottles and glasses which they used during the drinking session, in the river.
Roach was well-known in the medical fraternity for his contributions in his field.
He previously worked as the Director of the National Public Health Laboratory and was a Consultant to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He was also a former Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
