Probe launched into police inaction

AN investigation has been launched into allegations that police in Berbice had largely ignored complaints by residents that the main suspect in the murder of Leonard Archibald was a child molester.

In a release police said the administration of the force has noted the concerns of Leonard Archibald’s relatives and other residents of Brother’s Village, East Bank Berbice to the extent that the police in the district may not have acted professionally. The police said based on statements in the press and other expressions seem to suggest that reports were made against, at least, one of the suspects and that the reports were not properly and efficiently attended to.

In the circumstances, a Senior Officer is currently in that district conducting an investigation and it is expected that each and every citizen and relatives will take the opportunity to assist the investigator in his work. The officer is Assistant Superintendent Oswald Pitt and he can be contacted on cell phone number 661-5870 for the purpose of this investigation.

Two men were on Wednesday arraigned in the New Amsterdam Magistrates Court for the murder of 13-year-old Archibald. They appeared before Senior Magistrate Alex Moore. Alleged mastermind Hillary Edwards, 29, and Obediah Nicholas Christopher, 19 years, both of Brother’s Village, East Bank of Berbice, were not required to plead to the capital offence, which was laid separately against them.

Particulars of the charge stated that between Sunday, September 17, and 23, respectively, they unlawfully killed Leonard Archibald. Attorney-at-law Arun Gossai, who held the brief for Senior Attorney Mursaline Bacchus, reminded the court that his client Obediah Christopher was a stray offender and as such requested an early hearing. The other defendant Hillary Edwards was unrepresented by counsel.

Archibald was laid to rest on Tuesday. President David Granger in a message said he is deeply saddened to learn of the teenager who was allegedly raped and then dumped into the Berbice River, where he was found dead a few days after. The Guyanese head of state said: “Leonard went missing last week on his way home from a party. His lifeless body was discovered two days ago. The teen, who has been described as a helpful and willing child by his mother, was a student of the Overwinning Primary School.” President Granger extends sincere condolences to his mother, Ms. Abigail Archibald, his siblings, other relatives and friends.

At the church service, Region Six Chairman, David Armogan described the incident as the most gruesome and cruel act of a man against a man. “This act, which perhaps the systems of slavery did not know such cruelty, has sent shock waves around the country and our region must not be known for this kind of behaviour,” he warned, while noting that the act must be condemned by every right-thinking Guyanese. “Our region should be peaceful, where people are free to walk around and move as they like. I do not believe it has to do with parents or the child. I believe they did what they could have done to protect, but in the circumstances there was a depraved mind. If we had taken precaution [sic] after the previous incident, then we could have avoided a re-occurrence, but we did not do that. Maybe we are all at fault, the neighbourhood too…we need to take back our community,” Armogan stated.