Bartica massacre accused to finally have day in High Court

May 19, 2013 News

The five men who were charged and have since been committed to stand trial for the Bartica Massacre are expected to appear in the High Court on May 21.
Those charged for the murders are Mark Royden, called Durant or Smallie; Clebert Reece, called Chi Chi or Fineman; Dennis Williams called Anaconda; Michael Ceasar called Deon Cort and Roger Anthony Simon called Goatman.
The five were accused of killing Edwin Gilkes, Irving Ferreira, Ronald Gomes, Baldeo Singh, Dexter Adrian, Deonarine Singh, Abdool Yassin, Ashraf Khan, and Errol Thomas. They are also accused of killing three police officers, Ron Osborne, Zaheer Zakir and Shane Fredericks at Bartica on February 17, 2008.
The men were committed to stand trial in the High Court after the Police Prosecution was able to build a prima facie case before the presiding Magistrate, Fazil Azeez.
The magistrate said that a total of 37 witnesses, including civilians, were called to give evidence. The matter, prosecuted by Special Prosecutor K. Juman Yassin, was concluded in less than ten months.
Attorneys at law Hukumchand and Sonia Parag, had appeared for Celbert Reece initially, Attorney at law Roger Yearwood had appeared for Royden Williams and Peter Hugh represented Roger Simon.
On the night of February 17, 2008, at approximately 21:40 hours some 20 gunmen attacked Bartica, slaughtering one dozen people, including three policemen, during an hour-long strafing.
It was reported that the gunmen attacked the police station first, killing three policemen and freeing prisoners.
They then took the vehicle assigned to the police station and went on a rampage, terrorising the community and murdering nine others. According to reports, the gunmen arrived in the area by boat and departed in similar fashion taking with them firearms they had grabbed from the police station and from a mining company.
Roger Simon, a 44-year-old miner and father of nine who is a resident of the community, was the first person charged with the 12 murders.
He first appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on April 9 and then later at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on May 14.
Clebert Reece, called ‘Chi-chi’ of Lot 63 Barr Street, Albouystown, a 30-year-old miner who worked in the Cuyuni area, was the second person charged but he made no statement to the court when he appeared before Magistrate Melissa Robertson.

Latest News

Bartica massacre accused to finally have day in High Court

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

GCB saddened at passing of Former GCB Vice-President, BCB President...

Guyana/Barbados battle as opening round gets...

ESCL T20 starts March 2

Guyana boys team selected for 2025 PAHF Jr...

Mainstay Goldstar FC receives NSC support ahead...

Lusignan Golf Club Announces the 2025 Ansa McAL...

Features/Columnists

A flawed interpretation of international law

CARICOM Nations Should Respond Together To new U.S. Policies

SN on TI, a thorough battering of the PPP Govt.

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Bartica massacre accused to finally have day in High Court

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]