COME October 6, the trial of former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Rear Admiral Gary Best, who was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, following the death of former national cyclist, Jude Bentley, is expected to commence.

Magistrate Rondel Weever will be presiding over the matter when it comes up in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Best, 61, is currently on $500,000 bail on the charge which alleged that, on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Greater Georgetown, he drove motor car PRR 8182 in a dangerous manner which resulted in Bentley’s death. He was not required to plead to that charge.

The former Chief-of-Staff is also before the court on a driving under the influence charge. Magistrate Clive Nurse is hearing that matter.
The particulars of that charge alleged that Best had a breath alcohol level of .85 microgrammes at the time of the accident. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on self-bail.

Bentley, 41, a businessman and former national cyclist, was killed after he was struck down on the Rupert Craig Highway, in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy, at approximately 05:00hrs by a black land cruiser.

Reports indicated that Bentley and Best were heading east along the road. Best, reportedly, tried to avoid hitting Bentley and struck a utility pole, but still managed to hit the cyclist and dragged him several feet from the point of impact.

Best was arrested at the scene and two breathalyser tests were administered. Both tests reportedly revealed that he was way above the legally-prescribed alcohol limit.