More than three months after Orin Boston was shot dead in his bed at Dartmouth by a SWAT cop, the authorities are yet to conclude their investigation and the police are refusing to release the name of the shooter to the family so that a private criminal charge could be laid.
Speaking to Stabroek News, attorney Nigel Hughes said the family now believes that this is being done to prevent the institution of private criminal charges against one of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) own.
“We have written on three occasions to the Commissioner (of Police) asking him for the name of the officer who shot Mr Boston because we would like to proceed with criminal charges against him…..He refused to answer,” Hughes said.
“…We now consider them suppressing information which would lead to institution of justifiable criminal charges against a member of the Guyana Police Force. We are of the view that it is their intention to … prevent the institution of criminal charges against one of their own,” he added.
In the absence of the rank’s name, Hughes said he won’t be able to proceed with the private criminal charges.
Hughes had previously told Stabroek News that the family was giving the authorities up to November month-end to disclose the findings of the probe before they proceed with charges.
Prior to this, he had written to Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie and Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Justice (ret’d) William Ramlal in relation to the investigation.
“We wrote to enquire about whether the investigation was completed and whether they were going to institute charges and what those charges are going to be,” Hughes had said.
To date, he has not received any response.
However, Hughes told this newspaper that one of the lawyers in the matter met with Ramlal. No details of the meeting were disclosed to this newspaper.
Hughes had initially stated that while the option of private criminal proceedings is “always available”, they would prefer for the state to “discharge its responsibility to investigate and prosecute what is clearly a crime”.
Boston, 29, of Hoppie Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast was shot and killed on September 15 during what was said to be an anti-crime operation by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) squad.
More than a week after the incident, police had confirmed that the file was sent to the PCA for a “review”.
As of yesterday, there has been no confirmation as to whether the investigation has been completed and if it isn’t what is causing the delay.
Contacted for an update on Thursday, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said he “thinks” the case file was sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, sources at the chambers as well as the police say they had not received the file as of yesterday.
In a statement, the police had said that SWAT team ranks were conducting the operation at around 4.40 am during which they went to the home of Boston to undertake a search.
During the search, the police said there was a “confrontation” between Boston and the police, resulting in him being shot.
Boston was rushed to the Suddie Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy later revealed that Boston died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to gunshot injuries to the chest.
Boston’s widow, Feona Boston, had previously told reporters that the police kicked down their back door, went into their bedroom and shot the businessman. She said that ranks were all over the house with guns and her two children, ages 6 and 7, witnessed the entire ordeal.
Lost
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Feona said the situation has not changed as she remains “lost” about the matter.
She said she lost hope and does not believe she will receive any justice. “I say like this thing just finish just like that because I ain’t get no call from nobody or so. So I just like I don’t know, I give up,” Feona said.
“Is three months and something now and nothing at all I ain’t hear….I feel like nothing nah go come out. Right now I speechless because I don’t know what’s going on. Like I in another world. These people ain’t calling and seh nothing,” she added.
Following the shooting of her husband, Feona explained that she was expecting to get justice “soon”. “I surprise nothing ain’t happen yet. I thought we woulda get justice as soon as possible with what happen but nothing, nothing at all,” the disappointed woman said.
Since the passing of her husband, Feona said life has not been the same. She said not only did she lose her husband but also the father of her children and the sole breadwinner of the home. “I finding it really hard. At least for the kids them. Remember he was the breadwinner. It’s really hard for me and the kids them,” she said.
Since Boston’s death, Feona said she hasn’t been working either. While the business is still operating, she said it isn’t “doing well” as before. “…Not like how when he used to be around……Nuff people don’t really come out because when they come at the shop they expect to see he but now he is not there,” Feona stated.
