-legal action being considered

DESPITE objections from some relatives, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) on Friday proceeded with the cremation of convicted murderer and death row inmate, Royden ‘Smallie’ Williams.

Williams, who had been charged with 23 counts of murder had recently escaped from the Mazaruni Prison, while under heavy guard. He was later shot and killed by Joint Services ranks, who were part of a high-level operation to recapture him.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs explained that funeral arrangements were made between the GPS and the Williams’ sister.

“Shortly after his death, Williams’ sister engaged the prison authorities who informed her that the State will not hand over the body to the family and will take care of the funeral arrangements.

The reasons were provided to the sister. The prison authorities and the sister, on behalf of the family, discussed and consensually planned the funeral arrangements.

Out of those discussions, it was decided that the funeral will take place at Memorial Gardens, Le Repentir, with an agreed number of family members in attendance and that the family’s pastor will do the final rites,” the release said.

It was further explained that as of 8:00 hours on Friday, the Director of Prisons and the sister of Williams confirmed arrangements.

“The Guyana Prison Service’s position on this matter is that unless the convictions and sentences imposed upon Williams were set aside or reversed by a court of competent jurisdiction, Williams’s body will remain with the prison authorities, as the law provides. Appeals filed and pending against his multiple convictions and sentences do not affect this position,” the release said, adding that the matter is further compounded by the fact that Williams escaped again from lawful custody, aided and abetted by several persons, “some of whom were in possession of high-powered automatic rifles, who not only fired upon the pursing ranks but also created general fear and terror countrywide.”

The ministry emphasised that the prison service was within its right to keep Williams’ remains and dispose of them as it saw fit.

“The decision remains that the Prison [Service] keeps custody of the body and performs the final rites in the manner identified above,” the release added.

Last month, Williams had escaped from the Mazaruni Prison with the assistance of heavily armed men in a speedboat.

According to the Prison Service, Williams was returning to the Sibley Hall prison on an ATV and was in shackles after receiving a visit from a female, when escorting ranks came under gunfire.

Williams while in cuffs managed to run towards the riverbank and jumped into the river, the Prison Service said.

The gunmen assisted him into the speedboat which headed upstream past Itaballi Landing, while prison guards and police in support undertook pursuit.

After being at large for several days, ‘Smallie’ and two accomplices were shot and killed by police authorities.

In February 2017, Williams was sentenced to death when a jury found him guilty of eight counts of murder in relation to the 2008 Bartica massacre, in which a dozen persons, including three police officers were shot dead.

Several months later, in July 2017, Williams escaped from the prison at Camp Street, Georgetown during a riot. It is believed that he was the mastermind. However, he was nabbed on October 9, 2017, at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice (WCB), while travelling in a public minibus.

In 2013, Williams was acquitted after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the charges against him in relation to the 2008 Lusignan massacre, which claimed the lives of 11 persons, including five children.

Last year, he was sentenced to death for the 2008 murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer, Ivor Williams.

‘WE DON’T BURN, WE BURY’
Meanwhile, hours before the drama unfolded at the crematorium, Williams’ father, Morris Williams, in the presence of his attorneys Nigel Huges and Ronald Daniels said he felt “bullied” by the Prison Service.

He was at the time speaking at a press conference held at the Hadfield Street office of the Hughes, Fields & Stoby law firm.

Morris told reporters that cremation is against the family’s religious belief.

According to his lawyers, at 08.15 hours on Friday, the family alerted the Chief Justice of their intention to engage the court on an application to have his body handed over to them for a burial of their choice.

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall was also informed by the family’s counsel of this move and he indicated that the Commissioner of Police would hand over the body to the relatives.

At the time of the press conference this did not occur.

“We don’t burn dead; we bury our dead. That’s what I know from growing up in my family …Royden is dead already. They have no right to the hold the body,” the visibly distraught man said.

The family’s counsel argued that because of the pending applications to appeal Williams’ death row sentences, his body should be released to his relatives.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs in its statement said that Williams’ criminal record and antecedents, and the recent facts and circumstances arising from his escape led to the decision by made by the Prison Service to keep custody of his remains.

Four prison officers were among six persons who were remanded to prison last month for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to aid Williams in his escape.

The prison officers are head of security of the Mazaruni Prison, Alexander Hopkinson; Omar Whitherspoon; Conroy Hosannah, and Oldfield Romulus. A female visitor, Frangeliz Jugandry Flores Perez of Alexander Street, Kitty and a businessman, Rajmohan Autar called “Chico” were also charged.