The six persons who were charged with conspiracy to facilitate the escape of death row prisoner, Royden Williams, known as ‘Smallie’, have all pleaded not guilty
The defendants are former head of security at the Mazaruni Prison, Alexander Hopkinson; Rajmohan Autor known as ‘Chico’, 48, a businessman of Parika Outfall; Frangeliz Jugandry Flores Perez, 28, a Venezuelan of Alexander Street, Kitty; Omar Witherspoon, a prison officer of Stanley-town, New Amsterdam; Conroy Hosannah, a prison officer of Fort Ordnance Housing Scheme, East Canje, Berbice; and Oldfield Romulus, 50, a prison officer of Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice.
They reappeared yesterday at the Bartica Magis-trate’s Court before Magis-trate Crystal Lambert where the charge was re-read to them. They all pleaded not guilty. A trial that includes 15 witnesses will commence on October 6. The trial had been scheduled to start yesterday.
The defendants were each granted $750,000 bail on June 22.
It is alleged that on May 19, they conspired to assist Williams in escaping from the Mazaruni Prison with high powered weapons in a speed boat. The convicted mass murderer escaped while being escorted back from a visit. He was shot dead on June 1st.
