Bullet in Blackie inquest goes missing
Stabroek News
January 29, 2003
A bullet extracted from the body of Rhonda Forde, who was fatally shot during the February 2000 siege at the Toucan Suites Guest House, has gone missing from the Ruimveldt Police Station where it was lodged.
This was the testimony of Detective Corporal Winston Gravesande at the Coroner's Inquest into the deaths of Linden London and Rhonda Forde, which continued yesterday before Senior Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.
London, also known as `Blackie' was shot dead on February 9th 2000, after coming out of the Eccles Guesthouse.
Gravesande told jurors that he had made checks at the station and had been told by Station Sergeant Vanderhyden that there was an entry in the station logbook indicating that the item had been lodged, however, it could not be located. Gravesande had been summoned to tender the bullet as an exhibit.
At the previous hearing an arrest warrant had been issued for Gravesande and Police Inspector Deonarine, who also took the witness stand yesterday along with Cobeer Persaud, the Chairman of the Herstelling Community Policing Group. Persaud, a businessman, chronicled his experience during the 11-hour siege. Persaud had gone to the Housing Scheme while transporting ranks from the Providence Police Station, including Gravesande, on the night of February 8th.
He said it was around 10:30 am when he heard from police and army ranks that London had been shot dead. He noted that on many occasions police and the army had ordered London to give himself up, but were met with gunfire by London who he said told them "No f... way." Persaud completed his testimony and was subject to brief cross-examination by jurors.
Deonarine is to return to court next Tuesday, when the inquest is scheduled to continue at 1 pm. He is expected to tender as evidence the arms cache recovered from the room in the guesthouse where London had taken refuge.
London at the time of his death had been wanted in connection with two high profile robberies. There are conflicting reports about the death of Forde, whose body carried seven bullet wounds.
It is suggested that she may have been accidentally shot by police, while others believe London may have shot her himself. (Andre Haynes)
