Latest update September 15th, 2026 10:20 AM
Defense wants private PI, paper committal for Marlan DaSilva
Dead: Kenesha Vaughn
Kaieteur News – Attorneys representing 32-year- old Marlan DaSilva who is accused of killing his 27-year-old wife Kenesha Vaughn, have made an application to the court for private hearings of the preliminary inquiry (PI) and paper comitial.
DaSilva appeared at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court on Monday before Magistrate Dylon Bess. He was represented by attorneys Glenn Hanoman, Sanjeev Datadin and Everton Singh-Lammy.
During the appearance, attorney Hanoman told the court that the defense needed to safeguard the accused, since the matter has attracted widespread public chatter.
He said since the beginning of the proceedings, there have been sustained public campaigns, protests and social media commentaries by the family of the deceased.
“I believe that has the potential to prejudice his future right to fair trial before a jury and it also has the potential to intimidate witnesses,” Hanoman told the court.
Accused: Marlan DaSilva
He said while considering the emotions of the Vaughn family, their actions now affect DaSilva’s constitutional right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.
Citing the criminal law procedure act, the lawyers argued that PIs are not public hearings and reporting on such is limited. They said due to nature of the PI, it may be prejudiced to the jury.
Meanwhile, attorney Nigel Hughes, the special prosecutor in the case, objected to the application noting that a public trial is needed since there is nothing to hide.
According to Hughes, a prohibition against reporting on the content of testimony presented at a PI will not make the hearing private. Hughes argued that any member of the public can attend a PI and participate as a guest.
“So, I don’t think there’s any provision against the public sitting in a public inquiry. It’s if there was an attempt to publish the content of the PI,” Hughes said.
Magistrate Bess adjourned the matter for today, giving the defense time to file their submission for it to be reviewed.
DaSilva is accused of shooting his wife multiple times during a “heated argument” back in February at their home.
Investigators said that at the time of his arrest, DaSilva’s alcohol level in his body was 83%. “Note the legally prescribed limit is 35%”, police stated before adding that initial investigations revealed, he was drinking at a popular drinking establishment on Main Street Georgetown, prior to the shooting.
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