Escaped prisoner causes delay in Preliminary Inquiry

Dec 15, 2020 News

Murder of money changer and daughter…

Still at large murder accused Mark Rufino.

Kaieteur News – Escaped prisoner, Mark Rufino, called ‘Mark,’ 25, a labourer of Parika Facade, East Bank Essequibo, has caused a delay in the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murders of Better Hope money changer, Aaron Latchman, and his 18-year-old daughter, Arianna Latchman, who were killed last year during the course or furtherance of a robbery.As the manhunt continues for Rufino, Magistrate Alicia George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court has put the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murders of the father and his daughter on hold.
The five accused of the double murder are: Rufino; Paul Chan called ‘Long Hair’ or ‘Anthony,’ 37, a conductor of 10 Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Troy Abrams called ‘Troy ‘ or ‘Rasta Man,’ 44, a vendor of 34 Middle Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Lloyd Sadloo, 37, self-employed of 220 Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara and Sean Thomas called ‘Yankee,’ 41, an electrician of 59 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Dead: Aaron Latchman.

Dead: Arianna Latchman.

The PI for the matter commenced in February this year, but since then it has been faced with several delays. Yesterday when the matter was called, Magistrate George contacted Chan, Abrams, Sadloo and Thomas, who are still incarcerated, via Skype and updated them on the new proceedings.
She told them that the matter would be further delayed, since Rufino is still at large. The Magistrate explained to the accused that the delay is out of the court hands and that the prosecutor has asked for one month to recapture Rufino and seek advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), on the way forward since they are jointly charged with Rufino and in his absence the matter cannot continue unless he is either recaptured or removed from the joint charge.
When the Magistrate finished explaining the issue, some of the accused expressed dissatisfaction with the matter being further delayed. Magistrate George then adjourned the matter to January 29, 2021, for report.
It is reported that between Tuesday October 20, 2020 and Wednesday October 21, 2020, Rufino was among three-murder accused who escaped from the Holding Bay at the Lusignan prison. On October 23, swift and tactical action by members of the Joint Services, acting on information received, resulted in two of the escapees being recaptured, while police are still trying to locate Rufino.
Kaieteur News had reported when the five accused made their first court appearance, that they were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on July 4, 2019, at Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, they murdered the money changer and his daughter during a robbery.
According to reports, on the day in question, Aaron Latchman arrived home around 15:15 hrs. and was attempting to park his car in his yard when two gunmen struck. One of the gunmen reportedly entered the house and shot Latchman’s daughter. The other, meanwhile, attacked Latchman. The two men got into a scuffle, which resulted in a bag ending up in a neighbour’s yard.
The gunman who had shot Latchman’s daughter then exited the house and came to his accomplice’s aid, shooting Latchman as well. After Latchman fell to the ground, the attackers snatched up a bag of cash and fled. The killers escaped in a car. The money changer and his daughter were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were both pronounced dead on arrival.
The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. The five accused were later arrested and subsequently, jointly charged for murder.

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