The case file on the more than three-month-old fatal shooting of Dartmouth businessman, Orin Boston by a rank of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit is currently at the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The DPP’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Liz Rahaman yesterday confirmed with Stabroek News that the file had been forwarded to the Chambers.
“The file is here. I can confirm it is here,” Rahaman said.
The DPP is expected to review the file and make a recommendation on the way forward in the matter.
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 SWAT squad.
More than a week after the incident, police had confirmed that the file was sent to the Police Com-plaints Authority (PCA) for a “review”.
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 family through their attorney, Nigel Hughes had indicated their intention to file private criminal proceedings in the matter.
However, just over a week ago, Hughes told Stabroek News that the police are refusing to release the name of the shooter to the family so that a private criminal charge could be laid.
Hughes said the family believes that this is being done to prevent the institution of private criminal charges against one of the force’s 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 had 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 this newspaper 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 PCA, Justice (ret’d) William Ramlal in relation to the investigation. To date, he has not received any response.
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’s widow, Feona Boston, had 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.
In a recent telephone interview, Feona told Stabroek News that 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.
