Raymond Rupnarine, who is accused of hammering a Bartica man to death was on Saturday released on $1m cash bail and this has incensed the family of the deceased.
The family of Mark Braithwaite yesterday expressed their concern over the way in which the case is being handled and the police later said that Rupnarine has been reporting to the Bartica Police Station and that the file will be returned to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prose-cutions (DPP) today for further advice.
The police yesterday said that he was released on Saturday based on advice from the DPP.
Braithwaite of Four Miles Housing Scheme was hammered to death during an argument last Wednesday evening at the Blast Gaming Centre which is owned by Rupnarine’s father. The younger Rupnarine was arrested that evening and placed in police custody.
Braithwaite’s mother, Clare Cheeks, subsequently retained attorney at law Darren Wade who issued a statement yesterday on her behalf.
Wade noted that Rupnarine was released on bail after only 72 hours. “This is highly unusual in an allegation of murder. In these circumstances, the police will usually approach the court for an extension of time for the accused to remain in custody”, Wade said. He went on to charge that Rupnarine is receiving preferential treatment because his father is a member of the governing PPP.
Wade said that the pathologist who performed the post-mortem examination on Braithwaite explained to his mother that he died from multiple blunt-force injuries to the head.
Further, according to Cheeks, Wade said that the pathologist explained to her that her son’s skull was broken up as a result of the assault. The post-mortem examination was conducted on August 25, 2023.
Wade said that the police have not yet released any information about the footage of the incident. “We are demanding that the police release this footage to the public so that we can see for ourselves what happened.
“We are also demanding that the police conduct a fair and impartial investigation into Braithwaite’s death. We believe that Rupnarine should be charged with murder, and we will not rest until justice is served”, he asserted.
Wade said that Cheeks is calling on the Guyanese people to keep her and the rest of the family in their prayers and to support their quest for justice.
The police report had stated that the incident occurred at about 7.45 pm last Wednesday. It said that investigations revealed that Rupnarine’s father, a 63-year-old from Second Avenue, Bartica, owns and operates the Blast Gaming Centre.
The younger Rupnarine was left in charge of the Gaming Centre while Braithwaite, a regular customer, was playing at one of the slot machines. Rupnarine and Braithwaite had a misunderstanding over alcohol spilling on the countertop, and during the argument, Rupnarine scolded Braithwaite. Braithwaite then armed himself with several glass bottles that were nearby and began hurling them at Rupnarine, who was in the bar behind the counter.
It was alleged that Rupnarine armed himself with a hammer and went after Braithwaite, who at the time had made his way to the front of the Gaming Centre. He allegedly dealt Braithwaite blows to his head and face. Braithwaite fell to the ground and remained motionless. He was taken to the Bartica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The body was examined and wounds were observed to the right jaw area, above the right eye and to the forehead.
