–into 2013 vigilante killing in Sophia

A CORONER’S inquest is expected to commence today into the alleged mob beating five years ago of Nigel Roy Lowe, called ‘Harry’, whose body was found tied to a utility pole at ‘B’ Field Sophia.

An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, held to determine the cause of a person’s death. In Guyana, a sitting magistrate, who acts as coroner, then empanels a jury, after which an inquiry is conducted.
Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul of the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court will preside over the case with a five-member jury to determine whether anyone is criminally responsible for Lowe’s death. Some 13 witnesses are expected to be called.

Reports are that Lowe, then 40 or 41, was beaten and tied to the utility pole, where he was left to die by a group of men. Residents said that the attack on the man started at around 02:00hrs on May 8, 2013 after a resident of ‘A’ Field Sophia saw him in his yard and began shouting for thief.

Some of Lowe’s relatives, who asked not to be named, said that they heard the noise when the attack started but did not venture out of their homes to see what was going on. They say it was only after sunrise that they started to receive telephone calls telling them of his gruesome death.

One relative, who gave his name as ‘Junior’, said ever since Lowe’s father died, he was hardly seen in the area.
“After he father died, he left but we know he used to work as a mason, building blocks in Lodge. And when that work ease up, he would come in here and pick coconut from his mother yard and sell.”

Junior said he has never heard Lowe being involved in stealing from people, although he had turned to the streets.
He said he was told that Lowe had gone to his mother’s property in ‘A’ Field Sophia to use the latrine, when an occupant of the house saw him, raised an alarm and led the attack.