Earl Scott, 33, of 221 Laing Avenue, Georgetown, yesterday appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson to answer a charge of attempting to commit murder.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on May 3, he unlawfully wounded Ryan Nickles with intent to murder him.
Defence Counsel Mr. Nigel Hughes, in association with Ms. Tanya Warren, represented the accused.
Hughes informed the court that there is a history behind the accused and the virtual complainant. He said two years ago the virtual complainant shot up the home of the accused and after the matter was reported, no action was taken by the police to arrest the virtual complainant.
The lawyer said the virtual complainant constantly taunts his client and on the day in question the accused went to visit a relative of the virtual complainant when an argument broke out between the two. He said it was the virtual complainant who first attacked his client with a knife.
Mr. Hughes said the virtual complainant received a stab wound after he rushed into his client with a knife. He said his client is living in absolute fear and requested bail.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, objected to the lawyer’s bail application and stated that the accused stabbed the virtual complainant several times in the region of his heart and face.
The prosecutor said the accused made good his escape and the virtual complainant was hospitalised. He said he is not in possession of any information as it relates to the shooting up of the accused house.
In response, Hughes said a report was made about the incident two years ago and police failed to arrest the virtual complainant.
He challenged the police to deny that no report was made. He added that this is the reason why people have lost all confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The prosecutor stated that the accused should have made the report at another station if he had a problem with the case not being followed through.
However, the magistrate overruled the prosecutor’s objection and granted bail to accused in the sum of $500,000. The matter was transferred to another court for June 18.