A 26-YEAR-old boat captain, who reportedly confessed to fatally shooting a Brazilian miner, was yesterday remanded to prison on a murder charge by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.O’Neil Griffith of Linden was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that he killed Raiz Alphas’ DeSantos on December 30 at Puruni.
According to police reports, on the day in question, the miner was working at a mining camp when the suspect held him and another Brazilian at gunpoint. It was reported that a scuffle ensued during which DeSantos was shot to the neck.
After the incident, Griffith allegedly escaped with a quantity of raw gold, a boat and an engine. However, he was held at Itabali, where the stolen vessel and some of the gold were recovered.
It was reported that the accused disposed of the firearm and was positively identified by one of the victims.
Police Corporal, Simone Payne stated that on the date in question, Griffith robbed several Brazilians at a mining camp. She said that he took out a gun and shot DeSantos. According to Payne, the accused admitted to killing the Brazilian.
Griffith will make his next court appearance on January 7 before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.