Teenager charged with Mabura shopkeeper’s murder

May 01, 2014 News

A 19-year-old father of one was yesterday taken before a city Magistrate charged with the murder of a shopkeeper who was found dead at his Mabura, Region Ten premises on Sunday, last.

Jahryl Reid, also known as Garraway, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison until tomorrow, pending a hearing before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The charge which was read to Reid by Magistrate Fabayo Azore alleged that on April 27, at Mabura, West Demerara he murdered Colin McLean. The teen was not required to plead to the charge since it was laid indictably.

Representing the Prosecution was Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Deneashwar Maindranauth who told the court that McLean, a shopkeeper in Mabura, and the accused are known to each other.

He said that on the day in question the two had an argument. The accused became annoyed and dealt the shopkeeper several lashes to his head with a piece of wood.

The shopkeeper was rushed to the Mackenzie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, the Prosecution said.

Subsequent investigations reportedly led to the accused being arrested and charged for murder.

Attorney at law, Kimberly Yearwood, who represented the teen, claimed that her client has had no previous brushes with the law. She said that he is currently employed in the interior as a porkknocker.

The Magistrate heard that Reid is currently engaged in a common law relationship and has one child.

Magistrate Azore remanded the teen to prison until May 2 for a hearing before the Chief Magistrate.