Trial of soldier accused of causing pensioner’s death in accident commences

Sep 09, 2017 News

The trial of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Zamani Archibald, who is accused of causing the death of a pensioner in an accident, commenced yesterday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, with a testimony from Balwatt Persaud, the son of the deceased.
It is alleged that on March 11, at Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara, Archibald, 24, of East Canje, Berbice, drove motor pick-up, DFB 1566, in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Harry Persaud.
Archibald was released on $1M bail, but still remains on remand having not been able to post the hefty sum.
According to reports, on the day in question, Persaud, a pensioner, of Lot 7 Public Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, was taking his one-year-old granddaughter for a ride on his pedal cycle along the East Bank Demerara Highway, when Archibald, who was driving a motor-pickup which belongs to the GDF, collided with them, hitting them off the bicycle.
Reports indicated that Persaud and his granddaughter were both picked up by Archibald and taken to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where Persaud was pronounced dead on arrival. His granddaughter was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was treated and sent away.
During his testimony, Balwatt Persaud told the court that on March 15, he visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary where he identified the body of his father.
Guided by Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, the witness recounted that he identified the body to Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. He said that his father’s remains were cremated on the West Coast of Demerara.
Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Leslie Sobers, who is representing the soldier, requested for his bail to be reduced, since he and his family have been unable to accumulate the sum.
According to Sobers, his client is not a flight risk, and has vowed to sacrifice his life and limb for the defence of his country. The lawyer pointed out to Magistrate Latchman that the bail sum is “extremely beyond the reach of his client.”
The lawyer disclosed that his client has only been able to raise $500,000 utilizing his savings and monies pooled by relatives.
Nevertheless, Magistrate Latchman maintained bail for Archibald at $1M and adjourned the matter until September 19, when the trial is scheduled to continue.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News