FORMER murder accused, Delroy James called Slanty, aged 33, died early Sunday morning, moments after he allegedly attempted to snatch a gold band from a 53-year- old mechanic, as he was walking along Main Street, New Amsterdam.

His mother, Carol James, speaking from her Patrick Dam, Angoys Avenue residence, told Guyana Chronicle that she was asleep, but awoke after hearing someone call, “Aunty Carol! Aunty Carol! Slanty get juck up.”

As a result, she went to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she saw the lifeless remains of her son with a deep wound to his chest.
According to an eyewitness who spoke under the condition of anonymity, the deceased was in the company of Nizam Balgobin– a mechanic, and Anthony Carter– a mason, imbibing beverages at the popular bar.

According to the source, Balgobin and Carter left just before 04:00hrs and were walking along Main Street, in the vicinity of the Metro Office Supplies store and the Lutheran Evangelical Church. Moments thereafter, it is alleged that James, being accompanied by another, punched Balgobin to his eye before attempts were made to remove a gold band which adorned the victim’s left hand.

It was during the attack that James received three injuries. Two to his back and another to his left side chest.
As a result, the injured man was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where a doctor verified his death.

Consequently, Balgobin of Victoria Street and Anthony Carter of Main Street, both East Canje areas, reported the incident at Central Police Station. Thereafter, they were arrested pending further investigations.
James had been charged with the 2011 New Year’s Day murder of Sean Craig, but the charge was discharged by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo after a no-case submission was upheld.

James was accused of killing Craig, a washbay attendant, who had gone to the Mars Gas Station /Variety Store/ Snackette/Beer Garden in Stanleytown, Berbice to have a drink, mere minutes into the New Year.

The Guyana Police Force said, in a press release on Sunday, that they are currently conducting investigations into the alleged murder of Delroy James, a labourer of Patrick Dam, Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice on Sunday, September 22, 2019, about 03:45hrs, at Main Street, New Amsterdam.

“Delroy James was found unresponsive with wounds to his lower back. He was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Initial investigations have revealed that the deceased and the suspects were imbibing and subsequently engaged in an argument which resulted in a scuffle,” the police release said.
It said, too, that the suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.