Latest update August 28th, 2026 10:26 AM
Jun 25, 2025 News
Kaieteur News – A 40-year-old businessman and a 30-year-old businesswoman were remanded to prison on Tuesday for two counts of murder.
They are accused of killing Wendy James and 24-year-old gold miner, Mark Thomas, last Monday at New Star Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One.
The pair, Junior Richmond and Kizzian Baird, appeared before Magistrate Rabindranaught Singh via Zoom at the Port Kaituma Magistrates’ Court.
They were not required to plead to the indictable charge and were subsequently remanded. Richmond and Baird were represented by attorney Pamela De Santos.
The matter was adjourned for August 14, 2025.
It was reported on Saturday that police had arrested three persons in connection with Thomas’ and James’ murder.
The police disclosed that the suspects involved in the case are two males and a female.
“All three suspects were successfully apprehended in various hiding spots within the Backdam region. They have undergone video and audio interviews, and witnesses have provided written statements confirming the suspects’ involvement in the acts,” the police said.
Reports were that the suspects received information that Thomas broke into their shop and stole a number of items, which caused the suspects to contact the miner.
“The suspects tied a rope around Thomas’ waist, and they tied up his hands. The suspects then dragged and beat Thomas. Subsequently, the suspects fled the scene, leaving Thomas in a critical state. Thomas subsequently stopped breathing, which caused a report to be made at Baramita Police Station,” police said in a statement.
According to the report, when officers visited the scene, Thomas was found lying motionless, facing upwards, while dressed in torn pants with long boots on his feet.
It was also observed that Thomas had a rope tied around his waist and several bruises on his body. He was taken to the Baramita Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that Thomas and James were beaten to death with wood and died from a brain haemorrhage as a result of multiple traumas to the head.
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