Verdict looms for former soldier facing manslaughter trial

Jul 29, 2018 News

Justice Sandil Kissoon will early in the week sum up the evidence in the trial of former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, Allister Woolford, who is charged with manslaughter following the fatal shooting of his friend, Devon Howell, back in 2014.
The charge against Woolford alleges that on December 8, 2014 at Lot 100 Republic and D’Andrade Streets, Kitty, he unlawfully killed Howell. The accused killer, who has pleaded not guilty to the charge, is out on $400,000 bail.
Woolford is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Hewley Griffith and Compton Richardson. He is on trial before a 12-member mixed jury at the High Court in Georgetown.

ACCUSED: Allister Woolford

Based on reports, a gun went off and Howell was shot in his neck. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he eventually succumbed almost three weeks after the incident.
His upper spinal cord was reportedly damaged as a result of the shot and he never regained consciousness.
During November 2014, Woolford was charged with Attempt to Commit murder after Howell remained in a critical state at the Georgetown Public Hospital, days after the shooting.
However, after Howell succumbed the charge of Attempt to Commit murder was withdrawn, and a new charge of manslaughter was instituted against Woolford.
Based on evidence coming out of the trial, Howell was shot with a gun that belongs to the GDF.
Jonathan Williams who was also employed with the GDF during 2014 testified that he had signed for and uplifted the gun from the armory at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown.
According to him, he left and went over to 100 Republic and D’Andrade Streets, Kitty, where he met Woolford and Howell. Williams testified that he needed to use the washroom and so he left the gun in care of Woolford, whom he trusted.
Minutes after, Williams told the jury that he heard a gun go off and he immediately exited the washroom to inquire about what had happened.
Williams added that he saw Howell lying on the ground and that Woolford was applying first aid.
He told the court that he inquired about what happened and Woolford told him that he shot Howell.
The witness recalled that he panicked and picked up the gun from the floor and returned it to Base Camp Ayanganna, where he “rectified” certain things.

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