Police Constable Sherwin Peters, who is accused of unlawfully killing Dartmouth businessman Orin Boston at his home during an operation in 2021, was yesterday committed to stand trial at the High Court in Suddie.
Peters, who is attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit was charged with manslaughter on January 14, 2022. He was placed on $1M bail.
The matter was heard before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.
During yesterday’s proceedings, the magistrate ruled that there is sufficient evidence before the court for Peters to be committed to stand trial at the High Court in Suddie.
The police had 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, 2021 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 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 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.
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.
Throughout the entire investigation, Feona remained “lost” about the matter since she was not provided with information on the case.
She had even told Stabroek News that she had lost hope and did not believe she would receive any justice.
After Peters was charged, Feona had told Stabroek News that she was dissatisfied with the institution of the manslaughter charge as she believes that Peters should have been charged with murder.
