Latest update June 13th, 2026 12:40 AM
Essequibo Criminal Assizes open
Justice Franklyn Holder took the salute after he inspected the guard of honour during a ceremony which marked the reopening of the Essequibo Criminal assizes for the May to October period.
Twenty new cases are listed, including seven for murder, five for manslaughter, two for rape, two for incest, three for carnal knowledge and one for indecent assault.
Despite the reopening of the Essequibo Assizes, there would however be the continuation of the trial of the three former army officers, who were charged with murder of Dweive Ramdass, a young gold dealer formerly of Bartica.
The three accused, Sherwin Harte, the number one accused; Delon Gordon and Deon Greenidge, were committed to stand trial in the High court.
The case began on May 14 with a voir dire (trial within a trial) to determine the validity of a confession statement. The voir dire was completed last week and another began to determine the validity of the statement of another accused.
The three accused are being represented by Counsel Peter Hugh.
The two privates and a lance corporal, according to initial reports, were manning the Coast guard RC 12 motor boat in the Essequibo River when they allegedly confronted Ramdass in a boat at the Parika Stelling.
The report added that the ex-soldiers allegedly forced the victim into their boat and took him to another location in the River where they relieved him of $17M in cash which he was transporting in a box to Bartica for his employer who operated a gold and diamond business in the City.
The prosecution is attempting to prove that the three accused strangled Ramdass, stole his money and eventually threw his body overboard somewhere in the vicinity of Bonasika Creek.
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