Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana Riding on the Crest of Truth
Last Updated on Tuesday, 7 February 2017, 11:34 by Derwayne Wills
City magistrate Dylon Bess has ruled a prima facie case has been established against Robert Benn, the businessman whose matter has been famously known as the Tucville bridge fatal shooting.
Magistrate Bess said Benn will stand trial in the High Court in April 2017.
24-year-old Colin Perreira, of Kitty, was shot and killed last year, and his 22-year-old girlfriend Gail-Ann Chachon, injured, when Perreira drove his vehicle on Benn’s bridge while he was in the yard.
Benn, a licensed firearm holder, reportedly discharged several rounds at the vehicle killing Perreira and injuring Chachon, who was in the passenger seat.
Benn was also charged with intent to murder Chachon.
Magistrate Bess told the Court today certain elements were proven by the prosecution which satisfied the need for Benn to lead his defense at a High Court trial.
Magistrate Bess said the accused’s intent was to cause serious injury against the deceased, and that seven odd rounds fired in the direction of the deceased would not constitute self-defense but an intent to maim, immobilise or cause serious harm to occupants of the car.
Benn’s lawyer, Ronald Burch-Smith, had told the court last year his client was living in fear since persons had threatened to attack, rob, and kill him.
Burch-Smith had also contended his client felt threatened when he saw the car turning on his bridge, since he believed the vehicle had potential bandits, so he shot at it.
According to reports, at about 21:30h on August 24, Perreira was driving a heavily tinted motor car with Chachon in the front passenger seat.
He attempted to turn the vehicle on the Benn’s driveway, when the Benn, who was in his yard, drew his handgun and discharged several rounds at the vehicle, hitting the victims about their bodies.
Perreira was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), while Chacon was said to be in a stable condition.