Guyana Chronicle
June 12, 2001

JUSTICE Claudette La Bennett yesterday granted a habeas corpus application, compelling Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis to show cause, this morning, why Claudius Sam should not be released from custody.

The applicant, Melanie Chance said, in a supporting affidavit, that her son was arrested at their First Street, Alberttown, Georgetown home, on Sunday afternoon.

Attorney-at-law Mr Nigel Hughes, who presented the petition, told the Court that Sam was first taken to Sparendaam Police Station, East Coast Demerara and, later, to an unknown location.

Chance said, when she made further enquiries, a Police officer told her, among other things, that her son is a thief and "he done dead already".

The woman is challenging the detention as illegal and a breach of Sam's fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana.