With Geeta Rampersaud

North Ruimveldt pensioner murder accused on firearms charge

TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Junior Williams, also known as Kevin Alfred, appeared on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry accused of the murder of Joyce Lewis, a 75-year-old pensioner of Lot 3630 Christiani Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, which was allegedly committed on Wednesday March 26 last.Ms. Lewis was found motionless in bed with her hands tied, throat slit and her underwear below her knees.

While Williams was not required to plead to this indictable offence, Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, told the court that the facts are as detailed in the charge, and that investigations have been completed.

Grant requested an early date for the preliminary inquiry (PI).

The unrepresented Williams told the court that since being detained by the police, he has never given any statement and does not have any knowledge about what is going on.

He will return to court on September 23 for the commencement of the PI.
Williams had appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan on August 4 last to answer a firearm possession charge. He had then given his address to the court as Second Street, Crane Village, West Coast Demerara, and his occupation as that of a labourer.

Particulars of that charge detail that on Thursday, July 30, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Williams had in his possession a semi-automatic pistol when he was not a licensed firearm holder.
Williams had denied the charge before Magistrate McLennan, and the case had been put off for August 7 before the Chief Magistrate.

The prosecution’s facts were not read in court on August 7, but Police Corporal Dinero Jones, prosecuting, told the court that Williams was being investigated for a murder charge.
Williams had contradicted the prosecutor’s statement and had told the court that he was not facing any other charge.