Months after he allegedly shot and killed Dartmouth businessman Orin Boston at his home during an operation, a police constable attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit was yesterday charged with manslaughter and asked to post $1 million bail for his release.
The charge against Sherwin Peters, 32 of Lot 1869 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, states that on September 15, 2021, he unlawfully killed Boston.
Peters, who was unrepresented during the hearing, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which was read to him by Magistrate Esther Sam via Zoom when he appeared in Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 5.
His bail was set at $1 million and the matter was adjourned until February 1, when it will called again at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.
The visibly shaken Peters, who was handcuffed, was escorted into the courtroom by two plain clothes police officers.
It appeared as though Peters was on duty when he was summoned for court. He was dressed in his the pants and boots. A piece of black cloth was tied across his face from his nose down.
The police instituted the charge based on legal advice obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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 that was conducted by the SWAT unit.
More than a week after the killing, 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 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.
‘Murder not manslaughter’
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.
Throughout the entire investigation, Feona remained “lost” about the matter since she was not provided with no information on the case.
She had even told Stabroek News that she lost hope and did not believe she would receive any justice.
Contacted after the court hearing yesterday, Feona said she was dissatisfied with the institution of the manslaughter charge as she believes that Peters should have been charged with murder. “I don’t like how they charge he with manslaughter. My husband was murdered and they charge he with manslaughter. Duh ain’t right at all. I ain’t agree with duh. Duh is murder,” she said.
Boston’s family through their attorney, Nigel Hughes, had indicated their intention to file private criminal proceedings in the matter.
However, Hughes had 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.
Due to the absence of the rank’s name, Hughes was unable to proceed with the private criminal charge.
