THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has strongly refuted claims made by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes regarding the disclosure of evidence in the ongoing court matter of Police vs. Marlon DaSilva, who is charged with the murder of Kenesha Vaughn.
In a statement issued on Friday via his personal Facebook page, Hughes alleged that Magistrate Judy Latchman, who is presiding over the matter, had ordered that all evidence intended for use by the prosecution must be handed over to both the court and the defence by May 12, 2025.
Hughes further contended that despite this order, the Police Force failed to meet the deadline and sought to provide additional statements as late as June 26, 2025.
However, the GPF, citing information from a Senior State Counsel at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers, has rejected Hughes’ assertions as misleading.
According to the Force, Hughes’ initial request for disclosure was made on April 30, 2025, and the requested documents were provided to his law office on May 9, 2025 — three days before the court-ordered deadline.
“This fact is in stark contrast to the misleading contention by Nigel Hughes,” the Police Force said, adding that Hughes’ statement represents a blatant attempt to misinform the public.
Additionally, the GPF noted that an associate of Hughes recently informed a police witness at court that an adjournment would be sought because Hughes would not be present for the hearing.
Clarifying its role in the matter, the Police Force emphasised that it is not prosecuting the murder case against Marlon DaSilva. The GPF explained that Hughes himself had applied for and was granted a Fiat by the DPP, giving him and his firm sole conduct of the prosecution since March 17, 2025.
Given recent developments, the GPF said it intends to raise the issue with the DPP with a view to revoking the Fiat, arguing that the private prosecutor has demonstrated an inability to advance the matter effectively.
“For the capital offence of murder, this state of affairs is unacceptable,” the Police Force said in its statement.
The case, which involves the alleged murder of Kenesha Vaughn, continues before the courts.