Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Eccles hit-and-run driver remanded on numerous charges
…Lawyer tells court prosecutor’s facts are “not true”
After more than two weeks on the run, hit and run driver, Shamir Barker yesterday appeared before a City Magistrate to answer charges that stemmed from a fatal accident which claimed the life of Latoya Thompson.
Thompson, of Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was the pillion rider of a motorcycle which collided with a white wagon that failed to stop at the traffic light at Eccles, EBD, around 23:15 hours, on August, 12 , last.
Her friend, Orwin Whittington, 35, a Bourda Market vendor, and resident of First Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, was the rider.
According to reports, Whittington was riding his motorbike, heading south along the Eccles Public Road when the driver reportedly drove out from a street on the eastern side and hit Whittington and his companion, knocking them off the bike.
The two were picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Thompson was pronounced dead on arrival.
Clad simply in black and white, Barker, 24, of Yubani Avenue, Eccles, EBD, was escorted by police officers to the prison chute. From there he made his way into the court house to await Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan for his hearing.
He was slapped with four charges and was not required to plead to the first one.
The first charge alleged that on August 12, last, at Eccles Public Road, Barker drove motor car PPP 1354, in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Thompson.
Dead: Latoya Thompson
Shamir Barker during his court appearance yesterday.
The second charge alleged that on the day in question, having been involved in an accident, he failed to render assistance.
It was further alleged that Barker, having been the driver of a car when an accident occurred that caused injuries to Thompson and her friend, Orwin Whittington and damaged to motorcycle CG 5455, failed to stop.
Finally, Barker was accused of failing to report the accident to the nearest police station within 24 hours.
He was remanded to prison until September 16, when he will appear before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
Barker, who turned himself into police on Monday, was represented by Attorneys Glenn Hanoman and Priya Manickchand.
Hanoman requested that his client be released on reasonable bail. During a lengthy bail application, Hanoman contended that his client is not a flight risk and has all intentions of returning to court to face the charges leveled against him.
The lawyer explained that after the accident his client panicked after he was informed that the police were looking for him. But having been on the run, Hanoman said that Barker eventually made up his mind to surrender himself to police.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones objected to bail citing the gravity, penalty and prevalence attached to the offence.
Jones told the court that the defendant abandoned the car after the accident. “This is not someone that showed remorse”, Jones added.
The prosecutor explained that the defendant had been in hiding. He is a flight risk, the prosecutor added.
As such, Jones argued that the defendant should be remanded to prison to ensure his return for trial.
However, Attorney Hanoman argued that the Prosecution’s facts are “not true”.
He explained to the court that Barker and his mother are very fearful for their lives after receiving death threats from a man. He added that the most recent threat was made on Monday.
He then pointed to a man, who was seated in the packed courtroom.
After listening to the complaint, the Magistrate advised the attorney that a report should be made to the police. A few minutes after the man was seen leaving the courtroom with a police officer.
‘A’ Division police ranks had launched an intense manhunt for Barker. The man had reportedly fled to neighbouring Suriname to escape the law after crashing into two motorcyclists in a previous accident.
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