Shaka Blair inquest expected shortly
President meets Buxtonians
Stabroek News
June 19, 2002
President Bharrat Jagdeo told a group of Buxtonians yesterday that he expected
a Coroner's Inquest to be convened shortly into the death of Shaka Blair.
The President, along with Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Michael
Atherly and Commissioner of Police, Floyd McDonald, met the Buxtonians who
raised Blair's death among other issues they discussed.
A release from the Office of the President said, "the President advised the group
that the relevant files along with the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP) had been submitted to the Magisterial District of Vigilance.
"While the convening of the Coroner's inquest was outside the purview of the
government, His Excellency expects that it should commence shortly."
The release said that the President used the opportunity to raise a number of
social issues, including crime, with the group.
Buxton has been in a state of unrest since a squad of the Black Clothes police
killed Blair at his home. A private criminal charge brought against head of the
squad Senior Superintendent Steve Merai, by political activist, Eusi Kwayana,
was discontinued on the instructions of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Kwayana has since filed a constitutional motion challenging the action of the
DPP.
A group of concerned Buxtonians have invited the President to visit the village
and this is to be arranged.