BUSINESSMAN Robert Benn was on Tuesday committed to stand trial for the murder of 24-year-old Colin Perreira after city magistrate Dylon Bess ruled that a prima facie case had been established against him.

Benn had been charged with murdering Perreira, called ‘Malcolm’, of Barr Street, Kitty on August 24, 2016 at Tucville and had been further charged with discharging a loaded firearm at 22-year-old Gail-Ann Chachon, with intent to murder her on the said day and at the said location.

Magistrate Bess in his ruling told the court that after the Police Prosecutor, Christopher Morris called 16 witnesses he was satisfied with the evidence presented to the court. The defendant will stand trial in the High Court at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes.
“The Prosecutor presented a strong case,” Magistrate Bess said, adding that Benn’s intent was to cause serious injury against Perreira and Chachon.

In Benn’s defence, his lawyer Ronald Burch-Smith told the court last year his client was living in fear since persons had threatened to attack, rob and kill him. Burch-Smith added that his client felt threatened when he saw the car turning on his bridge, since he believed the vehicle had potential bandits, so he shot at it.

On August 24, Perreira was driving a heavily tinted motor car and the other victim was seated in the front passenger seat. He attempted to turn the vehicle on the defendant’s driveway and in the process, the suspect, who was in his yard, drew his handgun and discharged several rounds at the vehicle, hitting the victims about their bodies. Perreira was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).