Relatives of food vendor Rodwell Ogle are outraged that suspected death squad member Axel Williams' firearm was legally upgraded even after he shot and killed Ogle and are calling for an investigation into the matter.
The relatives told Stabroek News yesterday that even though Williams was not charged, the fact that an inquest was ordered into Ogle's shooting should have precluded him from having a firearm much less an upgraded one.
"I can't believe that he [Commissioner of Police(ag) Floyd Mc Donald] would have done something like that even after [we] went to his office and complained when he [Williams] was not charged with murder..." one relative said.
According to relatives, this new development only proves what they long believed: that Williams was being protected by the authorities.
They have called for an investigation to be launched into how Williams could have had his firearm upgraded after shooting Ogle.
"No matter Mc Donald coming out of office this thing should be investigated," the relative said.
On Monday, Stabroek News obtained a letter bearing Mc Donald's signature, authorising an upgrade of Williams' firearm licence.
The letter was issued almost 11 months after the DPP instructed that the police hold an inquest into the death of Ogle who was shot by Williams on August 8, 2002 in a row over $20.
Williams, 36, was later gunned down on December 10, 2003 in Bel Air by a lone gunman.
The letter dated July 18, 2003, referenced 91A/209/ 2002 and signed by Mc Donald approved the change from a .32 pistol to a 9 mm pistol/revolver. It also directed Williams, whose address was given as 45 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens, "to relinquish your .32 pistol with the police". He was also advised 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."
The letter also advised Williams to "ensure that there are adequate means of security for the firearm when it is not in use."
When contacted by Stabroek News on Monday McDonald refused to comment on the letter telling this newspaper that after more than three decades in the force he did not deserve to be harassed.
Stabroek News also attempted to have Mc Donald answer several questions in writing in relation to Ogle's death. These questions were submitted before the information on the gun upgrade was received by Stabroek News. While this newspaper has been informed that the outgoing commissioner has received the letter there is no indication as to whether he will reply.
One of the questions asked was why Williams was not charged with attempted murder following the shooting of Ogle and whether the police took a statement from Ogle during his period of hospitalisation. This newspaper also questioned whether Williams was held after Ogle had died and why Williams was allowed to keep his firearm, even after being implicated in the shooting.
After Ogle died, a file on his death was sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice and on September 12, 2002, one of the senior officers recommended a murder charge. However, on the same date, the recommendation was changed and an inquest was recommended instead. The only record at the DPP's Chambers is the first recommendation on murder and that was during the tenure of former DPP Denis Hanomansingh. Acting DPP, Roxanne George, had told this newspaper that the police had sent her the file on Ogle's death and the second recommendation signed by another senior DPP officer was seen.
Mc Donald was asked why the police needed to seek advice from the DPP's Chambers on the case when witnesses were available to substantiate a charge of manslaughter or murder and also whether the police had told the man's relative that the file had been lost.
Ogle's relatives yesterday again relived the agony of having to see Williams, who had once lived a few houses away from their Rasville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens home, everyday.
They stated that after being in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown hospital for a while, Ogle was transferred to the High Dependency Unit where he died. Relatives said police had taken statements from him while he was in hospital and from several other eyewitnesses. According to further reports, when Williams cuffed Ogle in his face after the man refused to accept short payment for his food and the man returned the favour, Williams fell to his knees. Persons around reportedly started to laugh at him, telling him he was weak. It was then he ran to his car, got his weapon and shot Ogle three times even though Ogle begged him not to.
Offers by Williams and his family to assist Ogle's relatives with his funeral and wake were all refused. It was noted that the men knew each other since they were children.
One relative told Stabroek News yesterday that as she relentlessly attempted to find out why Williams was not locked up after Ogle died, she was told by a officer at the Brickdam Police Station that they had the man locked up for a short while but "a officer with pip tell we loose the man."
Williams was pointed out as being an integral part of a death squad responsible for killing a number of men.
It was after Shafeek Bacchus was gunned down on January 5 that his brother George Bacchus, a self-proclaimed informant, went public giving details about the squad he claimed he once gathered intelligence for. The man said that Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj and senior police officers had knowledge of the squad.
Gajraj has since labelled the claims as mere allegation. The police say they have been looking for Bacchus, who has dropped out of sight, for him to give a statement before an investigation can be launched. There have been calls from several persons and organisations for Gajraj to step down and an independent investigation held.
Ogle's relatives said they believe it was because of Williams' involvement in the squad that he was protected and not made to face the consequences of the shooting.
One relative said she had asked the police when the inquest would have commenced and was told then that the Lindon `Blackie' London inquest was not even over yet, so they could not say when Ogle's inquest would have commenced. Over a year passed and the inquest was not held.