DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack has ordered that a Court in Georgetown Magisterial District conduct the preliminary inquiries (PIs) into charges against five men implicated in the Lusignan and Bartica massacres.
Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson read certain sections of the order yesterday when 47-year-old Roger Simon and Michael Preston Caesar also known as Deon Curt alias ‘Capone’(no addresses given); Clebert Reece alias ‘Chi Chi’, of Lot 63 Barr Street, Albouystown and Dennis Williams also known as ‘Anaconda’, of Lot 35 Waterloo Street, in Georgetown, as well, appeared before her.
The fifth man, Mark Royden Williams also known as Royden Durant nicknamed ‘Smallie’ was absent for reason unknown to the magistrate.
Simon, Reece and the other Williams were separately charged with the Bartica killings. Simon made a Court appearance on April 9; Reece on May 28 and Williams on November 10, all in 2008.
Caesar was, however, charged with killings in Bartica and Lusignan while Royden Williams was only accused in Lusignan.
It is alleged that, on January 26, 2008 at Track ‘A’ Lusignan, East Coast Demerara,  those charged with the Lusignan crimes murdered Clarence Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Ron Thomas, Mohandai Gourdat, Seegobind Harrilall, Seegopaul Harrilall, Shazam Mohamed, Shaleem Baksh, Seecharran Rooplall, Dhanrajie Ramsingh and Raywattie Ramsingh.
Particulars of the offence alleged against the Bartica accused said, on February 17, 2008, they unlawfully killed Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Zaheer Zakir, Shane Fredericks, Ron Osborne, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasin, Errol Thomas and Baldeo Singh.
The latter group told Magistrate Robertson they were not in favour of going in front of  Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton and their cases were transferred to Magistrate Fazil Azeez, who, originally, started the proceedings.
The remanded prisoners also asked why the transfer and Magistrate Robertson explained that the DPP has certain powers which authorise her to do the transferring from Bartica to Georgetown.
The accused will return to court on April 20.