-due to absence of Special Prosecutor

THE PRELIMINARY Inquiry (PI) into the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing was forced into an adjournment due to the absence of Special Prosecutor, Nigel Hughes on Wednesday.

Regan Rodrigues, 40, also known as ‘Grey Boy’ is currently on trial before City Magistrate Judy Latchman for the murder of Crum-Ewing, who was shot and killed on March 10, 2015, at Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

The case was scheduled to be called on Wednesday at 13:30hrs, but was adjourned until Thursday, May 25 due to Hughes’ absence. Two witnesses, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mitchell Caesar, and police ballistics expert, Inspector of Police, Eon Jackson, were present in court to testify.

Following the adjournment, Rodrigues expressed his frustration in court as he explained that he is being wrongfully incarcerated and is made to suffer due to the tardiness of the prosecution. Rodrigues had declined to call a lawyer to his defense, noting that he is innocent of the charge.

In September 2016, Rodrigues was freed of the murder charge by Magistrate Latchman due to the lack of evidence. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to re-open the case for further evidence from police witnesses and for the Magistrate to rule on the oral statements made by Rodrigues.

The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, days before the May 11, 2015 elections. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body.

It was reported that the killer(s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing.

The political activist was well known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via bullhorn urging residents of the neighborhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.