THE cousin-in-law of Jason Edwards, the 24-year-old man of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, who was killed on Sunday morning after being stabbed to the throat is likely to be charged with the capital offence of murder.
The Guyana Chronicle was informed yesterday that the man who stabbed the father of one is also the husband of the dead man’s cousin with whom the deceased was having a drink to celebrate his cousin’s birthday.
This publication understands that police investigators have now been told that the dead man who was somewhat under the influence of alcohol was being ordered by the husband of his cousin to go and purchase another bottle of vodka to continue the drinking spree.
Jason reportedly refused to buy the liquor, contending that they all had enough to drink and everyone was drunk. An argument then ensued between the two and at that point the 24-year-old was stabbed to the neck.
On Sunday a relative of the dead man who lives at the home where the incident occurred told this newspaper that Jason and three other men were attempting to break into the house where they all were earlier drinking to celebrate the cousin’s birthday.
The relative explained that after they retired to bed they heard strange sounds as if someone was attempting to break into the home. The husband of the cousin who is now being treated as the main suspect in the matter reportedly went outside with a knife in his hand to confront the intruder.
This newspaper was also informed that while the man was going towards the back of the house he came into contact with the would-be intruder who was attempting to attack him with a knife and he used the one he had to inflict the fatal wound in an apparent act of self-defense.
Despite the claim by the relative that both men had knives, police sources confirmed that the suspect was armed with a knife while the would-be intruder, his cousin-in-law Jason was armed with a cutlass and both weapons have been recovered and lodged with the police.
Late on Sunday afternoon an aunt of the dead man who spoke with this newspaper rejected the claim that her nephew was attempting to break into the home of his relatives. According to the woman, the facts surrounding the death of the young man, who also has a child on the way, are very fishy.
In plain terms she told the Guyana Chronicle that her nephew was murdered by his cousin and her husband.

However, the occupants of the house where the man was being accused of attempting a break-in claimed that the now deceased young man and his three accomplices had disconnected the power supply to the building as well as the telephone service before making a move on the house.

The police are continuing their investigations into the matter and the husband of the cousin up to late yesterday afternoon was still in custody.

By Leroy Smith