Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana Riding on the Crest of Truth
Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack on Wednesday announced that she has ordered the re-opening of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into a murder charge against Guyanese cricketer, Carlyle Barton.
Barton is accused of shooting to death his friend, Shawn Nelson, on May 27,2013 on Orange Walk, Bourda. Close circuit television video showed Barton whipping out a handgun, aiming and shooting Shawn Nelson. Nelson was seen falling after he was struck to his head.
Hack said she has informed City Magistrate, Fabayo Azore, who had discharged the matter and freed Barton on November 19 because of a lack of witnesses, that the PI must be reopened.
“In a letter dated the 16th of December, 2013 addressed to Her Worship Magistrate Fabayo Azore, the DPP has directed that the PI be reopened for some witnesses to complete their testimony and to allow for other witnesses who have not testified during the first PI, to do so,” said the DPP Chambers in a statement.
The DPP said after the matter was discharged and the police file was perused and it was found that that “certain investigations” needed to be carried out. The file was sent to the police on December 6 for that probe to be done and it was returned to the DPP’s Chambers on December 11 for further advice.
The file is now in the hands of the prosecutor.
Deputy Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com) that Barton’s lawyer would be informed when is the court date. He said if the murder accused is not present in court, the prosecutor could request an arrest warrant.
On the other hand, if Barton is present in court he could be taken into custody and remanded to prison pending the completion of the PI to determine if he should face trial by a judge and jury.
Persaud was unsure whether Barton was still in Guyana.