WHEN the Lusignan Massacre murder trial continued at the Demerara Assizes on Thursday, the jury heard that the number one accused, Mark Royden Williams, called ‘Smallie’, had told the police when he was caught, “Bigger, you got the wrong man.”

Smallie and co-accused James Anthony Hyles, called ‘Sally’, are indicted for the murder of 11 persons who were shot and killed in the massacre at Lusignan on the morning of January 26, 2008.
Police Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram of CID Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown, had told Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury about the information he had received that had caused him and a party of policemen to visit a home at Field 7, Cummings Lodge, ECD, where the accused ‘Smallie’ was found.
The Supt. said he identified himself to Smallie and told him that the police were investigating the shooting deaths of 11 persons, and that it was alleged he had participated in the crime. The Supt. said he issued the  caution, telling Smallie that he was not obliged to say anything but whatever he said would be taken down in writing and given in evidence.
The accused Smallie allegedly replied, “Bigger, you have the wrong man.”
Under cross-examination by attorney-at-law, Mr. Roger Yearwood for the accused, the Supt. said he interpreted what Smallie was alleged to have said to mean that he was denying being part of the crime.
Witness admitted that no arms and/or ammunition were found on the premises where the accused was caught.
The mixed jury had also heard about the day when bandits had riddled the community of Lusignan with bullets, killing 11 persons, incuding five children.

Accused Mark Royden Williams, called ‘Smallie’; & James Athony Hyles, called ‘Sally’, are indicted with the murders of the 11 persons at Lusignan. Those allegedly killed in the massacre, according to the prosecution, are:

(1) Shazim Mohamed, also known as Shazam Mohamed. He was 22 years old and had sustained three gunshot injuries.
(2) Rooplall Seecharran, also known as Seecharran Rooplall, aged 52. He had sustained three gunshot injuries.
(3) Banrajie Ramsingh, also 52. She had sustained three gunshot injuries.
(4)  Raywattie Ramsingh, aged 11, had sustained one gunshot injury from the back of her head going down to her spine.
(5) Mohandai Gurudat, aged 31, had sustained five gunshot injuries. Gurudat’s two sons
(6) Seegopaul Harrilall, aged 10, had sustained two gunshot injuries, and
(7) Seegobin Harrilall, aged four, had sustained four gunshot injuries.
(8) Shalem Baksh, aged 52, had sustained two gunshot injuries.
(9) Clarence Thomas, aged 48, had sustained seven gunshot injuries; while his two children
(10) Vanessa Thomas, aged 12, had sustained seven gunshot injuries and
(11) Ron Thomas, aged 11, had sustained four gunshot injuries.

For the greater part of Thursday, the jury had gone out of sight and hearing while the judge continued conducting the voir dire (a trial within a trial).
Mrs.  Judith Gildharie-Mursalin and Mrs. Tishana Lake are prosecuting. Lawyers Mr. Nigel Hughes and Mr. Roger Yearwood are defending. The trial is continuing.