A Friendship, East Bank Demerara man was yesterday charged over the murder of two gold miners at Nassano Backdam on Christmas Eve.
Forty-two-year-old Kurtland Damon, called ‘Cartoe’, a businessman was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where Magistrate Dylon Bess remanded him for two murders.
He was not required to plead to the charge which states that on December 24, at Nassano Backdam, North West District, he murdered Sherwin Goddette, 29, a gold miner of Dredge Creek in the Upper Pomeroon and Shawn France, 21, a gold miner from Akawini Creek, Pomeroon.
His attorney, Latchmie Rahamat told the court that her client maintains that he is innocent. She said that according to the man, he was unconscious on the night and woke up next to his son who was also injured during the altercation which led to the murders.
According to Police Prosecutor, Bridgemohan, the man was accompanied by his attorney on Friday last when he surrendered to the police at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary. The facts reported by the police state that Thomas Kyte called ‘Taco’, 36, of Matthews Ridge, North West District, Region One, and Damon were wanted following the investigations into the events of Christmas Eve night. Both men turned themselves in however, Kyte was released from custody on Sunday.
Devor Stohl called ‘Jubbu’, and Hosea Sandy, were injured during the altercation that claimed the men’s lives. The police reported that a miner, who was among the group told investigators that Damon, who is Stohl’s father, and Kyte attacked them while they were walking back to their camp. It is further alleged that the two men in retaliation stabbed Sandy in his back and left arm and fatally stabbed Goddette and France.
