The man accused of murdering popular entertainer and educator, Kirwyn Mars also known as ‘Sir’ Mars, has been remanded to prison.
Brian Richards, 24, a father of three, of John Fernandes Squatting Area, Ruimveldt Industrial Estate appeared yesterday at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. He was not represented by an attorney.
It was alleged that Richards on May 7, at Plantation Scheme, Provi-dence, murdered ‘Sir’ Mars. He was not required to enter a plea to the capital offence of murder and was remanded to prison until his next court date, June 23.
According to reports, Mars, who is the registered owner of a grey Mitsubishi RVR vehicle, PZZ-6438, was at 10.30 pm, on May 7, at Lot 1654 Plantation Scheme, Providence, East Bank Demerara, along with another male when an argument broke out between two.
The argument quickly escalated into a physical altercation, where both parties armed themselves with knives and dealt each other wounds.
Mars exited the vehicle and attempted to escape whereupon the suspect reversed the vehicle hitting Mars and pinning him to the fence of a house on the eastern side of the street.
The suspect then exited the vehicle and escaped on foot. The vehicle was later removed with the assistance of the fire service, and the lifeless body of Mars, his face pressed against the fence, was recovered.
An examination of the body revealed lacerations to the face, head, hand, shoulder, forehead, above the left eye, right side of the chest, and back. Two knives were recovered from the scene.
A post-mortem examination conducted by government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, found that he died from crushing injuries to the chest compounded by “multiple cutaneous wounds as a result of eight (8) stab wounds about the body upper left chest, right shoulder, upper left collarbone, left hand, right elbow, and left upper chest.”
That alleged killer was later identified as Brian Richards, a 24-year-old from John Fernandes squatting area.
The police noted that the breakthrough came after CCTV footage was reviewed placing the two at the Green City Bar located at the corners of D’Urban Street and Vlissengen Road, just about 17:38 hrs and later leaving at 20:59 hrs on the night of the incident.
Since then, Richards has claimed that he was acting in self-defence at the time of the murder. He is said to be the only suspect in the murder case.
Mars had been a teacher for the past 31 years, and just before his death held the position of Deputy Head of the New Central High, also known as St Mary’s Secondary School.
The educator was also a popular actor and comedian and made his mark in standup comedy.
His death sent shockwaves throughout the country and further afield. Both the theatre and teaching fraternities have also expressed deep sadness at the sudden loss of their colleague.
Mars’ family has expressed deep sadness at the loss but seems willing to offer some forgiveness towards the killer.
This is according to one of Mars’ brothers, Leon Mars, who in an interview after Richards was charged said that the family is saddened by the loss but also has some forgiveness towards the person despite the fact that they are still hurting.
“We are still hurting, everybody knows ‘Sir’ Mars. He was very popular in education and in theatre, and he didn’t deserve to die the way he died. Nevertheless, we have to bring closure and I have said before, one way in bringing closure to this whole matter is that we have to forgive and so my family has forgiven the young man. We have to forgive the young man so that we can move on with our lives. Whatever happens in the court, well that’s a matter for the law. We have no control over that but for outside, we want to move on,” Leon asserted.
He expressed his appreciation for the police force and the effort made to bring the suspect to justice.
“I want to thank the Guyana Police Force. I think they did a magnificent job in dealing with this matter expeditiously and ensuring that the matter reach the court.”
‘Sir’ Mars will be laid to rest on Tuesday May 16. (Joseph Allen)
