ONE year after two murder suspects were killed by the police during an alleged shootout in the UG/Cummings Lodge area, East Coast Demerara, a coroner’s inquest will commence today.

An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions and is held to determine the cause of a person’s death. In Guyana, a sitting magistrate who acts as the coroner empanels a jury, after which the inquest is conducted.

Magistrate Annette Singh will preside over the inquest at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court with a five-member jury to determine whether anyone was criminally responsible for the deaths of Kwase Jupiter called ‘Ding Docker’ and David Smith called ‘Burlyn’.

A total of 22 persons, including police and civilian witnesses will testify during the inquest.

It is alleged that Jupiter and Smith were involved in the alleged robbery and murder of 19-year-old Joshua Denny on September 30, 2021.

Denny, an electrician, was shot dead moments after leaving his Festival City Georgetown house. He was robbed of his 18-pennyweight gold chain and shot twice by the suspects.

Police Headquarters said ranks, acting on intelligence that the two suspects were in the UG area, on October 2, 2021, launched an operation to capture them.

The police further stated that the suspects managed to escape from ranks, the day prior, in Albouystown, Georgetown.

Police reported that two firearms, as well as eight rounds of 9mm ammunition, were found in the possession of Jupiter moments after he was shot dead.

The police also recovered a motorcycle bearing registration number CK8784 and several motorcycle parts, along with two ski masks. These items appear to match those which were seen on the suspects – as captured by CCTV cameras, moments after Denny was killed.

Both men were known to the police. They were released from prison several months before Denny was murdered.