Man on $1M bail on causing death by dangerous driving charge

FORTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Michael Gordon of Lot 21 Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara appeared yesterday before Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo Azore charged with causing death by dangerous driving.He was not required to plead to the charge, which detailed that on Sunday, September 14, at Mabura Public Road, Upper Demerara, he drove motor pick-up GMM 7330 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the deaths of Raymond Khan and Jean Williams.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman opposed bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence, the punishment it attracts, and the fact that two lives had been lost.

Gordon was represented by Attorney-at-Law Ms. Leslyn Charles, who told the court that her client is married with two children, and is the sole breadwinner of his family.

Charles noted that her client had been hospitalised for four days for injuries he had received in the accident, during which time he had not been under police guard at the hospital.

Ms Charles requested bail in a reasonable sum, and told the court that the two deceased were Gordon’s family members. She added that the prosecutor has no reason to oppose bail since her client has no reason to be a flight risk.

Blackman then argued that the defence attorney cannot predict that her client would not pose a flight risk, but Attorney Charles reiterated the point she raised in her bail application — that during the time her client was hospitalized, he could have fled the jurisdiction if that was his intention; but he instead made his appearance in court to face the offence for which he was charged.

The prosecution’s objection to bail was overruled, and the accused Gordon was ordered to post $1M bail. He was also ordered to lodge his travel documents, inclusive of his passport, with the police, and report to the Providence Station every Friday at 15:00 hrs. Gordon is expected to make his next court appearance on October 7.

RECAP
According to reports, the fatal accident in which Gordon is implicated occurred on the Mabura Public Road at about 07:30 hrs, and involved the accused and the two deceased persons.

It is alleged that the motor pick- up was proceeding at a fast rate of speed when Gordon turned west into the Mabura junction.

He lost control of the vehicle, and it toppled several times, causing him and his passengers to receive injuries. They were all rushed to the Mackenzie Hospital, where the two passengers were pronounced dead on arrival.

(With Geeta Rampersaud )