JUSTICE Roxane George and a mixed jury heard how $6,000 lent by one cousin to another, who refused to repay the debt, resulted in murder.The alleged money lender was Mark Major of Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. He is on trial at the Demerara Assizes for the murder of his cousin, Orin Forde, who had allegedly refused to repay the debt in accordance with an agreement.

Major, who works at a slaughter house, alleges that following an argument over the money, his cousin attacked him with an axe handle, causing him to retaliate with a knife. Forde allegedly died as a result of injuries sustained.

Miss Shonette Austin, prosecuting along with Miss Tamieka Clarke, told the jury in her opening address that the killing was neither an accident nor provocation, but was intentional. She said evidence would be adduced to show that what had happened that day was not done in self-defence.

According to her, the incident took place on January 6, 2012 at the Helena Abattoir in Mahaica. She said the prosecution will call 15 witnesses, who will testify from the witness box, and added: “They will tell you a story that the accused, Mark Major, and the deceased, Orin Forde, were cousins; and that on the 6th of January, 2012, the deceased and the accused had an argument over money.

“As jurors, you are the final judges in this matter. You are the sole adjudicators of facts. What that means is that you are to decide on the guilt or innocence of the accused based on the evidence of the witnesses who will testify.”

Attorneys-at-Law Messrs. Clevaun Humphrey and Jermaine Jarvis are defending. They are leading a defence of self-defence.

The hearing continues today.
By George Barclay