The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised the police to charge the rank who allegedly shot and killed Dartmouth businessman, Orin Boston at his home almost four months ago with manslaughter.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that the case file was returned to the police today with the recommendation for the rank, who inflicted the deadly wound to be charged based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
The police had forwarded the file earlier this month to the DPP Chambers for legal advice.
Boston, 29, of Hoppie Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast was shot and killed on September 15, last year 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 Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for a “review”.
In a statement, the police had said that ranks from the SWAT unit 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 recently, Hughes told Stabroek News that the police were 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.
Due to the absence of the rank’s name, Hughes was unable 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.
Just over a week ago, Feona told Stabroek News that she remained “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.