Two men were yesterday charged with the murder of Deon Charles, who was shot on Christmas Eve night in Albouystown.
Nineteen-year-old Ezekiel Hawker, unemployed of 2465 Forshaw Street, Queenstown and 31-year-old Mickel Forde, a taxi-driver of K25-99 Critchlow Street, Tucville, were brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. The men were not required to answer to the charge which alleges that on December 24, at James Street, Albouystown, they murdered Charles, 28, of Lot 42 Middle Road, La Penitence.
Hawker’s attorney told the court that the man has a medical condition which requires that he use a colostomy bag and he has been receiving threats. Forde’s attorney, Dexter Smart also said that his client has received threats and that the man denies the offence. The Chief Magistrate inquired whether the threats had been reported and after being told they were not, she informed that threats need to be reported. The men were remanded until January 27.
According to the Police Prosecutor, it was reported that Charles was standing on the southern side of James Street, Albouystown when he saw Hawker. The Prosecutor said that Charles, Hawker and Forde know each other. Hawker allegedly left in a vehicle driven by Forde. How-ever, when Forde saw Charles, he stopped in front of Charles. Hawker allegedly exited the car and approached Charles. Charles was then shot in the face and fell to the ground, the police said, and Hawker immediately jumped into the car they arrived in and escaped.
Charles was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead on arrival. His body was examined and a gunshot wound was seen on the left side of the head.
A wanted bulletin was later issued for Hawker, and the man was arrested by law enforcement officials in Suriname. Hawker was handed over by the officials from Suriname to local investigators who promptly arrested him and placed him in custody. Forde was later arrested.
