Accused to lead defence in murder of Brazilian miner

Dec 03, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

Justice James Bovell-Drakes has granted adjournment for murder accused Mark Thompson to lead a defence in the matter of the unlawful killing of Brazilian miner, Jose Rodriguez De Olivieira, for which he is on trial
Thompson allegedly murdered De Olivieira on August 7, 2010 at Aranka Backdam, Cuyuni River. Reports indicated that the two men had apparently been drinking together at their mining camp when the disagreement occurred.
De Olivieria allegedly attacked Thompson with a cutlass but was overpowered. Thompson reportedly relieved De Olivieira of the cutlass and hacked him to death as he lay on the ground. He was subsequently detained and charged for the crime.
Thompson is currently facing a trial before Judge and jury at the High Court in Georgetown. He is being represented by Attorneys-at-law, Peter Hugh and Latchmie Rahamat.
Yesterday, the Judge overruled a no case submission by the defence following a Voir Dire, (trial within a trial in the absence of the jury.)
However before the accused could be called upon to lead a defence his attorney, (Latchmie Rahamat) requested time, for him to do so. Judge Bovell-Drakes therefore granted an adjournment in the matter until December 6.
Last week, State Prosecutor Tamieka Clarke, called among a number of other witnesses, former Police Sergeant Wilfred Murray to the stand. Murray recalled travelling to (Melodina) at Aranka, Cuyuni River to investigate a murder which was reportedly committed there in August 2010.
The former policeman said that he was attached to the Bartica Police Station at the time.
He stated that during the said investigation, he questioned several persons about the incident and they pointed out the accused, Mark Thompson.
The ex-cop also recalled viewing the body of the deceased (De Olivieira). It was on a tarpaulin and had what appeared to be blood on it. The body, Murray told the court, was examined in the presence of Corporal Lowe, who had accompanied him to the crime scene.
Additionally Murray told the court that photographic exposures were taken of the body and further investigations were conducted at the scene before the accused was detained and taken to the Bartica Police Station.
Shortly after their arrival at Bartica on August 9, 2010, the policeman said that they (the ranks) proceeded to take statements from the accused, regarding the incident.
He told the court that Thompson’s rights were read to him before the statement was taken. The witness recalled that the accused had elected Corporal Lowe to write his statement for him.
During that time, Murray noted that no bribe, inducement or force was used on the accused in order that he might give a statement to the ranks.
The witness told the court that the statement was later read over to the accused before he affixed his signature to it.

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