JUSTICE Sandil Kissoon, Justice Brassington Reynolds and Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow are expected to deal with a list of 318 cases at the January criminal assizes, which opens today, January 14, 2020.

The list includes 85 cases for murder, 15 for manslaughter, 145 rape related cases, plus other cases such as abduction, wounding, robbery under arms, narcotics and stealing a child.

The opening of the January session will be marked by the holding of a traditional parade by the Guyana Police Force Band and ranks.

One of the three judges to preside at the session is expected to inspect a Guard of Honour to mark the occasion, and will later take the salute during a march-past outside of the court.

Thereafter, the Registrar of the Supreme Court will address jurors of the three panels.
Listed for trial is Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence for raping a nine-year-old boy.

Ali will go on trial for eight additional counts of sexually abusing eight boys. He is facing multiple indictments for crimes allegedly committed between 2011 and 2012, including sexual activity with a child under 16 years and sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.

Another well-known case is former Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson, who is set to go on trial for engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, while being in a position of trust. He is currently out on bail.

Meanwhile, for the capital offence of murder, former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy, will go on trial for the murder of his reputed wife in 2018.
Sandy, used his service gun and opened fire at Payne during a domestic dispute. A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body– 13 to her chest and one to the head.

Also, businessman Robert Benn will go on trial for the murder of 24-year-old Colin Perreira and the attempted murder of his girlfriend, Gail-Ann Chachon.
Four men are also set to go on trial for the murder of Foulis, East Coast Demerara businessman, Rajendra Singh.

Currently on remand are : Doenauth Katwaru, also known as ‘Pumpkin’; ‘Doodnauth Katwaroo’ or ‘Doodnauth Ketwaru’; Tony Christopher Thomas, also known as ‘Mataran’, ‘Matteron’, ‘Job’ or ‘Fix Up; Michael Lewis called ‘Michael Joseph’, ‘Jet Lee’, ‘J- Ice or ‘Mikey and Adony James called ‘Don.

Meanwhile Mark Lowchee called Mark Lee is finally expected to face trial for the September 21, 2003 murder of Collis DeAbreu at Fifth and Light Streets, Alberttown, Georgetown.
Also, there is the case of Regan Rodrigues, called ‘Grey Boy,’ who is charged with the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, on March 10, 2015. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The political activist was well-known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via a bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.