THE treason case against former Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve, Leonard Wharton, Guyana Defence Force Major Bruce Munroe, and his wife, Carol-Ann Munroe, was yesterday put down to April 28 following more evidence by prosecution witness Quincy Critchlow. The trio again appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and was represented by Attorney-at-law Gregory Gaskin.
The magistrate took an adjournment following objections raised by Gaskin to questions that the witness was asked by State Counsel Sonia Joseph.
Following questions to the witness by Joseph, Gaskin accused Critchlow of attempting to interpret what he was told by the accused.
In one instance, as he was relating what he was told by one of the accused, Critchlow was asked by Joseph what he meant by “the big ones.” Gaskin however criticized the use of such questions as Critchlow was attempting to respond.
The State Prosecutor informed the court that she was in the right and quoted sections of the law that supported asking such questions. The magistrate adjourned the matter to seek clarity on the issue.
Between December 1 and 16, 2009, the three accused allegedly plotted to level war within Guyana to force the President out of office in order to compel the government to change its measures.
The trio made its first court appearance on December 28, 2010.
Munroe, reportedly, is the first woman to be charged with treason in this country and is a teacher and owner of the Soesdyke-based Achievers’ School.
Police had reported that the three accused recruited persons to create mayhem in this country to overthrow the government.
The capital offence against the trio allegedly has its origin in the arson at the Ministry of Health, Brickdam; arson attempts at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School and the Supreme Court building; and a gun attack at Brickdam Police Station, all in July 2009.