Man charged with two murders

Nov 02, 2010 News

… Charlestown chopping spree

William Lyte, 42, of Stevedore Housing Scheme, the man accused of chopping two neighbours to death and severely wounding two others, was yesterday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, before Magistrate Priya Beharry.
Lyte was charged with two murders and two counts of attempting to commit murder when he appeared before Magistrate Beharry.
The first charge stated that on October 26, at Charlestown, Lyte murdered 75-year-old Cedric Blackman.
Another charge stated that Lyte on the same day murdered 38-year-old Ann Cham-a-Koon. It is further alleged that on the same day he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Radesh Persaud with the intent to commit murder.

Murder accused William Lyte yesterday at court

And Lyte was also accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Sean De Souza, with the intent to commit murder.
He was not required to plead to any of the charges, since they were all indictable. He was also unrepresented by lawyer when he appeared yesterday.
Lyte who seemed well aware of his surroundings, answered questions which were posed to him the magistrate.
He was remanded to prison and is expected to make his next court appearance on December 6, when the preliminary inquiry is expected to begin.
Just around mid-morning on Tuesday last. Lyte allegedly began chopping four persons, in a savage attack.
Cedric Blackman and Ann Cham-a-Koon were pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Hospital, while Persaud and De Souza were immediately rushed to operating theatre for surgery.
Persaud managed to escape with only a chop to the head, while De Souza was chopped to the shoulder and neck.
Kaieteur News understands that the incident started at Cedric Blackman’s residence.
Persons in the area opined that Lyte had carefully planned his attack, since according to them he was seen sharpening his cutlass a few days before.
“Dis man know exactly wha he do, because about two days ago he deh sharpening he cutlass…and when he done chop dem people he go and wash off he cutlass,” one resident related.
Another resident recalled that the man was even overheard saying that he had to “cleanse the earth of its demons”, after which he walked away in the direction of Blackman’s house.