After nearly four weeks of delays and over eight years after the brutal slayings, the trial for the three co-accused of carrying out the Bartica massacre proceeded just before 10:00h on Wednesday morning.
State Prosecutor Diana Kowlessar presented the State’s case, which stated that on February 17, 2008, while residents were engaged watching a 20/20 cricket match on television, Mark Williams, Dennis “Anaconda” Williams, and Roger Simon “struck terror with wanton disregard for life”, resulting in the deaths of 12 persons, including three Policemen.
Prosecutor Kowlessar informed the 12-member mixed jury of their role in the High Court trial that is expected to last for the next several weeks. At Wednesday’s hearing, legal arguments were heard after which a witness testified in a preliminary trial.
The trial was able to proceed after the three accused pled not guilty while two others pled guilty on a lesser count. Celbert Reece – one of the five men charged with the February 2008 massacre – on Tuesday pleaded guilty to manslaughter; his guilty plea came just one day after co-accused Michael Caesar had also pleaded guilty to 12 counts of manslaughter. Caesar on Monday claimed that after the boat docked, he was dressed in a soldier’s uniform and carried an AK-47 and two handguns.
Justice George ordered a probation report for the two accused and they will make their next court appearance on December 16 for sentencing. Over 30 witnesses are expected to testify in the High Court trial.
The five, allegedly being part of the Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins gang attacked the town and shot dead the 12 persons; namely Police Lance Corporal ZaheerZakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne. Additionally, Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, AbdoolYasseen, Errol Thomas, and Baldeo Singh were the civilians killed. The matter continues before Justice Roxane George.
