THE trial of murder accused, Odel Roberts, commenced on Wednesday with the testimony of seven witnesses.
Roberts also called Delon Williams or “Gully Side”, formerly of ‘C’ Field Sophia, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a mixed jury at the High Court.
It is alleged that on May 1, 2015, he murdered shopkeeper, Shawn Anys, during a robbery at `D’ Field, Sophia.
The state is being represented by prosecutors, Tiffani Lyken and Nafeeza Baig, while attorney-at-law, Damion DaSilva, is representing Roberts.

The trial commenced with the testimony of Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. He testified about the autopsy conducted on Anys’ body. Dr. Singh told the court that the cause of death was given as multiple gunshot wounds.

Mark Anys, the son of the deceased, was next to take the stand. He told the court that around 22:00 hours on the day in question, he was in the living home doing his assignment when he heard their dogs barking in the yard.
He recounted that his father went outside, thinking that someone had come to the shop which was situated in the yard.

The younger Anys, who was 15-year-old at that time, told the court that he heard his father, say, “No, no, no.” Loud gunshots were heard shortly after, he said.

His father, who was at the door of the house, had collapsed onto the ground and was trying to get up to close the door behind him. However, by then, the gunmen were already inside.
Mark told the court that the gunmen ransacked the house for close to half an hour, before making good their escape with family valuables.

The witness said that he dialled 911, but no one answered. He then called his mother who subsequently arrived with the police.

Mark’s mother, Aminata and his brother, Shaquille Anys, also testified. They were followed by crime scene photographer and examiner, Police Sergeant Patrick Benjamin, who tendered 12 crime scene photographs in court.

Also testifying was former Police Sergeant, Eon Jackson, who is now a Scientific Officer at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, and Inspector Suraj Singh.

Inspector Singh told the court that on June 16, 2015, while on duty at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), he received certain instructions from a senior officer.
Acting on those instructions, he prepared a body order and went to the Camp Street Prison, where he met the accused, who was serving a prison sentence for robbery.

While at the prison, Singh said that he put the allegation of murder to Roberts. Roberts did not answer the officer, but shook his head in disagreement.

Roberts was then transported to the CID Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown, where a confrontation was held by Singh with Roberts and his then girlfriend, Iyana Williams.
Williams had reportedly told the police that Roberts confided in her about committing the robbery on Anys.
Singh told the court that under caution, Roberts told him, “I did call her and tell her that me and meh partner went pun the wuk but is he shoot the man.”

The trial will continue on Friday.
In December 2019, co-accused Jamal Forde, 26, was freed after spending three years on remand. His case was called before Justice Sandil Kissoon, but was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

According to reports, Anys, who owned and managed a small grocery shop at his home, was confronted by the bandits just before 23:00 hours, while at home with his three children.

The two armed men forced him into the house and shot him while demanding money and valuables. They later escaped with $40,000 in cash along with jewellery.

Anys was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.