Judge grants bail in cases pending three years
WINSTON McKenzie, charged on four counts of robbery under arms and wounding with intent, was granted $16,000 bail on each charge, following a petition to Justice James Bovell-Drakes in the Berbice High Court. Attorney-at-law, Ms. Kim Kyte-John, who presented the application, said during the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the charges, the prisoner was, initially, granted pre-trial freedom but it was, subsequently, withdrawn and the grant denied.
The lawyer said the cases have been pending for the last three years, as none of the virtual complainants attended court hearings.
However, on June 4, 2011, after being committed to stand trial at the Berbice Assizes, McKenzie’s co-accused, Wilfred Kyle and Robert Rollins, moved to the High Court where they were allowed liberty on $80,000 surety.
The prosecution arose out a single incident which occurred during the night of October 7, 2007 but no one identified McKenzie and the only evidence against him is an alleged caution statement which was obtained by the use of force, fears and threats by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Kyte-John submitted.
Particulars of one offence said on October 7, 2007, at Line Path, Skeldon, Corentyne, McKenzie discharged a loaded firearm at Harishchand Ketwaru with intent to murder him.
Other charges said:
* armed with a gun and knives, he robbed Aaron Suknandan of
a cell phone, valued $7,000 and $35,000 cash;
* he robbed Ketwaru of $45,000, a wallet worth $4,000 and a $60,000 gold chain;
* he also robbed Jadeshwar Serran of a motorcar key, a hire car licence and a wallet, making a total loss of $291,000;
he robbed Rohan Dewnarayan, as well, of a driver’s licence, United States (U.S.) currency and a cellular phone, all to the total value of G$149,000. ((Jeune Bailey Van Keric)