Psychiatric evaluation for man charged with causing wife's death in accident

Psychiatric evaluation for man charged with causing wife’s death in accident

Jul 27, 2017 News

CHARGED: Laurent McGarrell

Laurent McGarrell, an operator at Caribbean Containers, who was charged for allegedly causing the death of his wife in a motorcycle accident, was yesterday ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation by Magistrate Sunil Scarce.
McGarrell, 24, of 66 Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) first appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied a causing death by dangerous driving charge.
It is alleged that on July 23, at Providence, East Bank Demerara, he drove motorcycle CJ 1957 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of his wife, Gaitri Sahadeo. He was granted bail in the sum of $100,000 and instructed to return to court on August 9.
According to reports, Sahadeo, 20, of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara who was the pillion rider of the motorcycle, was killed after a tyre blow out caused the rider to lose control.
According to reports, the accident occurred at around 00:30hrs on the eastern carriageway of the Providence, EBD Public Road as the couple was proceeding in a southerly direction. Sahadeo, who reportedly sustained injuries to the head, was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she succumbed. The police say that while McGarrell was in custody, he was given a breathalyzer test which proved that his blood alcohol level was 40 micrograms – five micrograms over the prescribed limit.
Both parties, the police say, were not wearing safety helmets and McGarrell was unlicenced.
McGarrell was later taken before Magistrate Sunil Scarce and pleaded not guilty to six charges for breaching traffic laws.
He was further charged for riding the motorcycle when he was under the influence of alcohol; riding the motorcycle without a third party insurance; riding the motorcycle when he was not the holder of a driver’s licence; riding the motorcycle and failing to wear a safety helmet; riding the motorcycle and carrying Sahadeo, who failed to wear a safety helmet; and taking away and riding the motorcycle without having consent from the owner.
He was granted $20,000 bail on each of the charges and instructed by Magistrate Scarce to return to court on August 8.
As a condition attached to bail, Magistrate Scarce ordered McGarrell to report to the Providence Police Station every Saturday until the determination of the matter. The Magistrate also warned him that his bail would be revoked if he violates the court’s order.
Initially, an unrepresented McGarrell had pleaded guilty to all of the charges except for to the one which alleged that he took away the motorcycle and rode it without consent from the owner. However, after McGarrell failed to provide the Magistrate with a suitable response when he was asked if he accepted the charges before him, the Magistrate ordered that he be evaluated by a Psychiatrist to determine his mental state. And to further determine if he is competent to answer to the charges.
In most of his responses to the Magistrate, McGarrell responded “yes sir” and “okay” even when he was being asked a question. McGarrell who appeared visibly shaken explained that “his brain was not working” since he is “studying” his dead wife.
He also said that it was his first time in court and he was not aware of what goes on.