Preliminary inquiry into murder charge begins

Preliminary inquiry into murder charge begins

Guyana Chronicle
May 21, 2003

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THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder charge against Police Constables Mahendra Baijnauth and Gerald Alonzo, who are accused of unlawfully killing University of Guyana (UG) student Yohance Douglas, began yesterday before Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen.

The proceedings got underway in the absence of the Special Prosecutor that was to have been named by the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Mrs Holder-Allen said she was informed, by letter, that, because of certain problems, the DPP’s Chambers would not be prosecuting the case and Inspector Richard Lowe is representing the Police.

The first witness to give a deposition was Paul Broomes, uncle of the deceased Douglas, who was shot in Sheriff Street, Georgetown, last March 1.

Senior Counsel Bernard DeSantos crossed-examined the witness on behalf of Baijnauth but other attorney-at-law Mr Compton Richardson, representing Alonzo, declined cross-examination.

The PI into the joint charge continues on May 30.

Meanwhile, another PI, into the charge which said Baijnauth alone attempted to kill Ronson Gray, who was with Douglas at the time of the shooting, will commence on May 23.