Magistrate to proceed with paper committal in deadly gas station bombing case

Feb 05, 2026 News

(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 Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty ruled that the matter will proceed by way of paper committal.

Under a paper committal, the magistrate will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the accused to stand trial in a higher court based solely on written statements, rather than oral testimony. These proceedings are scheduled to commence on March 10, 2026. Four of the seven accused were present in court: 33-year-old Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo; 44-year-old Venezuelan Alexander Bettancourt; Venezuelan national Krystal LaCruz; and Guyanese taxi driver Johnny Boodram.

During the hearing, attorney Kiswana Jefford, representing LaCruz, informed the court that complete statements were filed on her client’s behalf. She requested that the proceedings be conducted in a hybrid format, noting that there are key witnesses the defence wishes to cross-examine. Attorney Mikel Puran, representing Boodram, also requested the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.

In response, Magistrate McGusty stated that not all witnesses would be subject to cross-examination and advised the defence to submit a list of witnesses they intend to examine so the prosecution could be notified in advance. “If you want to examine witnesses it will not be every witness who will be crossed examine so I suggest if that is the case you provide a list of the witnesses so the prosecution would know before hand,” she said. Jefford indicated that she could submit her list within three days, while Puran requested one week.

However, Police Prosecutor Mandel Moore objected to the request, reminding the court that the prosecution had applied for the matter to proceed by way of paper committal since December 16, 2026. After considering the submissions, Magistrate McGusty ruled that the case will proceed by paper committal. 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 enter a plea. Bettancourt, LaCruz, and Boodram are jointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo in carrying out the attack.

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Alexander Bettancourt, bombing, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, gas station, Krystal LaCruz, Mobil Gas Station

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