Commissioner of Police(ag), Floyd McDonald yesterday declined any comment on a letter bearing his signature authorising an upgraded firearm licence to Axel Williams.
The letter was issued almost 11 months after the DPP had instructed the police to hold an inquest into the death of food vendor Rodwell Ogle. It is widely believed that he was shot by Williams on August 8, 2002 in a row over $20.
The 36-year-old Williams was himself gunned down on December 10, 2003 in Bel Air by a lone gunman.
McDonald refused to comment on the letter and told Stabroek News that after more than three decades in the Police Force he did not deserved to be harassed.
Stabroek News has seen a copy of the letter, dated July 18, 2003 and referenced 91A/209/2002 signed by McDonald approving the change of calibre from a .32 pistol to a 9 mm pistol/revolver. It also directed Williams, whose address is given as 45 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens, "to relinquish your .32 pistol with the police". It directed him to "please get in touch with the Divisional Commander `A' Division at Divisional Police Headquarters, Brickdam in connection with the issuing of the licence, a short course on the use of the firearm and the conditions under which the licence is granted."
McDonald's letter advised Williams "to ensure that there are adequate means of security for the firearm when it is not in use".
Stabroek News understands that licences for the possession of 9 mm pistols under the regular licensing system were authorised only for pilots and businessmen but that in recent times it is not a restriction that has been adhered to.
As for Ogle's murder, Stabroek News understands that the responsibility for holding an inquest rests with the police and the magistrate. The DPP Chambers issued the advice to the police to hold a coroner's inquest on September 19, 2002. The original advice was that the police should charge Williams with murder but this was changed directing that an inquest be held. The direction to hold the inquest is not in the files of the DPP Chambers and the police provided the DPP Chambers with their file showing the Chambers as advising that an inquest be held.
The inquest into the death of Ogle, who lived at Lot 7 Rasville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, was never held. Williams reportedly retrieved a handgun from his car and shot Ogle in the chest and abdomen in the vicinity of the central Ruimveldt well.