Latest update November 24th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Accused chuckle as main witness testifies

Mar 23, 2011 News

As the chief witness in the treason case, Quincy Critchlow, stood in the witness box of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to testify, he avoided making eye contact with the three accused for the entire proceedings.
The matter is being heard by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry. Major Bruce Munroe, his wife Carol-Ann, and reserve officer Leonard Wharton are jointly charged with the capital offence. During yesterday’s hearing, as a result of certain evidence Critchlow was relating, the three accused started to chuckle among themselves.
The courtroom was packed yesterday, with many relatives and close friends of the accused in attendance.
Defense counsel Nigel Hughes, George Thomas and Gregory Gaskin were all seated before their clients’ appearance.  Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack who is prosecuting in the matter was absent on the last preliminary inquiry (PI) hearing. She along with her junior Sonia Joseph were however present yesterday.
At the commencement of yesterday’s hearing the prosecutor continued to examine Critchlow.
Nearing 15:00 hours, the matter was adjourned until Wednesday, March 30, at 13:30 hrs.
The accused were charged last December with plotting to depose the President and Government of Guyana, between December 1, 2009 and December 16, 2010.
On the last occasion junior state prosecutor Sonia Joseph made an appearance and examined Critchlow.
At the initial stage of the allegation, persons were speculating that the treason charge was linked to the fire that destroyed the Ministry of Health building on Brickdam.
Lawyers for the accused had noted that the dates of the charge could not stand up to such speculation, since the Ministry of Health fire happened several months before.
The counsel opined that prosecutors would have an uphill task to prove their case.
The last persons to be slapped with treason charges were Mark Benschop and Philip Bynoe. Benschop has since been released from prison where he spent five years while Bynoe was never brought to court although charged. The charging of the trio with treason now totals up to five persons who have been charged and prosecuted by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-led administration since 1992.
Carol-Ann Munroe is also the first woman, of the lot, to have been charged with treason.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

West Indies ride on Greaves’ 115 to exert dominance over Bangladesh

West Indies ride on Greaves’ 115 to exert dominance over...

Nov 24, 2024

ESPNcricinfo – A maiden Test century for Justin Greaves headlined a dominant day for West Indies against Bangladesh on day two of the Antigua Test. After his 115 helped West Indies post 450 for...
Read More
Marian, Potaro, Waramuri and St John the Baptist advance into the semis

Marian, Potaro, Waramuri and St John the Baptist...

Nov 24, 2024

Adams, Ghani smash hundreds in runs-filled ERC T10 Tapeball 

Adams, Ghani smash hundreds in runs-filled ERC...

Nov 24, 2024

RHTYSC honours top LCSS Student with Claudette Foster Memorial Award

RHTYSC honours top LCSS Student with Claudette...

Nov 24, 2024

IBA President congratulates Steve Ninvalle on his re-election as GBA head

IBA President congratulates Steve Ninvalle on his...

Nov 24, 2024

Fireworks expected in Mayoral Cycle Road Race in New Amsterdam today as Mayor expected to lead ride off

Fireworks expected in Mayoral Cycle Road Race in...

Nov 24, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]