Latest update June 1st, 2026 12:37 AM
Gas station bomb crew shopping for lawyers
…as taxi driver’s lawyer challenges admissibility of confessions
(Kaieteur News) – The case surrounding the deadly terrorist bombing at the Regent Street Mobil Gas Station continued on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the lawyer of 27-year-old Guyanese taxi driver Johnny Boodram, moved to challenge the admissibility of his client’s confession.
Meanwhile, the court granted permission for two Venezuelan suspects to contact their families in an effort to secure legal representation.
The permission was granted after two of the accused appealed to acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, requesting assistance to contact their families so they could obtain lawyers.
Suspects accused in gas station bombing.
During the hearing, four of the seven accused appeared before the court: 33-year-old Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, identified as the main suspect; 44-year-old Venezuelan Alexander Bettancourt; Venezuelan national Krystal LaCruz; and Boodram.
During the presentation of further disclosure, Magistrate McGusty, in the absence of Boodram’s attorney Mikel Puran, informed the court that Puran had submitted several documents in advance, including one challenging the admissibility of any confession statements allegedly made by his client.
“What I would have seen is that Mr. Boodram’s attorney is indicating that he wishes to challenge the admissibility of any confessions or statements, whether recorded or in writing,” Magistrate McGusty stated.
Additionally, attorney Tifaine Rutherford, who appeared on behalf of Krystal LaCruz, also informed the court that the defence intends to submit statements on LaCruz’s behalf.
Attention then turned to the issue of legal representation for Bettancourt and Poedemo. When questioned by the magistrate, Bettancourt said that since being remanded, he had limited contact with his family and wishes to retain a lawyer. Shortly thereafter, Poedemo responded, “Yo también” (me too), indicating that he also wants a lawyer but has not yet been able to contact his family.
As a result, Magistrate McGusty instructed the prison officer present to facilitate communication between the accused and their families. The prison officer informed the court that prison welfare officers had been in contact with Bettancourt’s wife, though communication has been inconsistent. He added that efforts would continue, with attempts to reach her at least twice weekly. In Poedemo’s case, the officer said attempts are being made to contact his mother.
The court set January 28 as the deadline for all statements to be filed and adjourned the matter to February 4, 2026.
The accused are charged in connection with the October 26 bombing, which claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne. Poedemo faces a separate indictable charge of committing an act of terrorism, alleging that he used an explosive device at the Mobil Fuel Station with the intent to threaten Guyana’s sovereignty and security or to instil fear among the population. He was not required to plead to the charge.
Bettancourt, LaCruz, and Boodram are jointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo in carrying out the attack. While the others; Venezuelan national Jennifer Rodriguez, along with Guyanese nationals Wayne Correia, 44, and Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, are appearing at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Alisha George.
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