The accused in the Philippi Village, Corentyne, Berbice murder of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.
Kamal Matthews, also called “Son”, 26, of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on December 23, 2018 at Philippi, Corentyne, he unlawfully killed Mark Bagot.
Matthews is being represented by Attorney Chandra Sohan. Magistrate Renita Singh adjourned the case to January 21, 2019.
In court on Monday, a large number of persons from Black Bush Polder and also from Philippi were present during the proceedings.
Bagot, a first lieutenant of the GDF, was stabbed during a confrontation over the paying for drinks. The injured man was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, but was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed to his injury. Following the stabbing, Matthews had gone into hiding. However, on Wednesday, he turned himself in accompanied by his attorney to the Whim Police Station.
At the time of the incident, Bagot was reportedly sharing a drink with a friend at the bar when an argument ensued between the soldier and the suspect over the purchasing of Guinness.
It had been reported that the Lieutenant; his friend, popularly known as “100”; and the accused were at Chunku’s Grocery and off-licensed bar located at Philippi when an argument ensured. The incident escalated, and the suspect and the deceased reportedly began throwing bottles.
Despite attempts by persons in the bar to temper the situation, Bagot allegedly attacked Matthews who reportedly stabbed him with a knife.