Three months after Marlon Christopher Wilburg called ‘Miceman’ was charged with the attempted murder of six-year-old Jeremiah Gustave, he was released by the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The police have not provided an explanation.
On July 29, Wilburg appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with the attempted murder of Smith’s Memorial Primary School pupil, six-year-old Jeremiah Gustave, on July 9 on Charles Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.
Jeremiah’s mother, 39-year-old Keisha Gustave, on Friday told Stabroek News that Wilburg had been released on bail. While Wilburg was released last Wednesday, Odelle Garnette, the second suspect, is expected to return to court next Wednesday. Keisha said that her son is still hospitalised in a stable but critical condition.
It is alleged that on the day in question, the minor was sitting on a chair in front of his mother’s food stall at Lot 11 Charles Street, Charlestown. The accused and another man called ‘Crab’, allegedly had a misunderstanding that escalated into gunfire which resulted in the minor sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. The six-year-old was immediately picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He was admitted in a critical condition to the Intensive Care Unit where he remains on life support.
On July 26, the accused, Wilburg, was arrested and during a video interview was told of the allegation and cautioned. On July 27, based on intelligence, the firearm used in the commission of the alleged crime by Wilburg was recovered by police in the possession of another individual who attempted to dispose of it when converged upon by ranks. The weapon was taken to the ballistics department along with three spent casings recovered at the alleged scene. Wilburg was remanded to prison until August 19.
And on July 18, police issued a bulletin for Garnette called ‘Crab’, in connection with the shooting of the six-year-old. Garnette’s last known address is East Ruimveldt, Georgetown and it is alleged that he was the intended target of the shooter but escaped.
Garnette appeared on August 2, before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he was also charged with attempted murder of Jeremiah, on July 9 at Charles Street, Charlestown.
Giving an update on her son, Keisha told this newspaper that Jeremiah had begun bleeding internally. She said the doctors are conducting several tests to ascertain the cause of the new development. According to the mother, prior to this setback, there had been tentative talk about discharging her son from the hospital, but this requires the acquisition of a “machine” for him to stay alive, which costs $150,000.
It was explained that the function of the machine is to suction waste fluids including mucus and saliva from Jeremiah’s stomach. However, a frustrated Keisha stated that she could not afford such an expense as she is without a job, since she spends most of her time at the hospital.
Keisha, who was surprised at the new decision by the court on Wednesday, continues to highlight the critical state of her son, as she is now forced to buy oxygen for his survival. Although the six-year-old was transferred from the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital to the paediatric ward, his condition remains critical.
