Cops advised not to charge alleged mastermind in KN grenade attack
The police have been advised not to charge Shemar Wilson, the suspected mastermind behind the lobbing of a grenade outside the Kaieteur News’ offices in 2016.
This was confirmed by Crime Chief (ag) Michael Kingston, who yesterday told Sunday Stabroek that the case file was returned to the police from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with the legal recommendation that no charge is to be laid.
As a result, Kingston said Wilson, who was arrested late last month after he disembarked a flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, was released from police custody.
The grenade was thrown outside of Kaieteur News’ Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown office on June 3rd, 2016.
The grenade, which did not explode, landed near the front wheels of a vehicle belonging to Publisher Glenn Lall, which was parked in front of the building. The device was later destroyed by bomb experts at the Kingston seawall.
Less than a week after, the police issued a wanted bulletin for the then 20-year-old Wilson, whose last known addresses were given as Lot 43 North
Kato school gets tractor:
On Friday, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan handed over the tractor to Region Eight’s Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mitzy Campbell, who presented the keys to the Regional Education Officer (REdO) Penelope Mackintosh. Mackintosh, a Department of Public Information (DPI) report said, explained that the tractor was specifically requested for Kato Secondary – one of the largest dormitory schools in the country – to assist in the transportation of dietary and school supplies from the airstrip. She noted that this type of vehicle was most suited for the terrain. It will also be used to transport children from the nearby villages that do not live in the dormitory. “We are rearing the giant black chickens and when we have to transport their feed the tractor will come in handy. Kato Secondary has a vibrant agricultural programme and the tractor will play a pivotal role in aiding the programme. It will help with our agriculture programme in school because we have a plough so we can detach the trailer and use that when we need to plough the land,” she was further quoted as saying. (DPI photo) Sophia, George-town and Lot 51 West La Penitence, Georgetown.
During the investigation, a number of persons were arrested and questioned.
Three men, Alfie Garraway, 36, of Lot 71 Norton Street, Janiel Howard, 20, of Lot 322 Section C Turkeyen and Leroy Williams, 25, of Lot 11 D’Urban Back-lands, were charged in connection with the act.
They were accused of unlawfully and maliciously conspiring with other persons to cause an explosion by way of using a grenade, which was likely to endanger life or cause serious damage to property.
Following a preliminary inquiry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the trio was committed to stand trial in the High Court. They are expected to stand trial in the High Court later this year. However, earlier this year, the main witness, Kelvin Walters, was killed.
This newspaper had reported that Walters was fatally shot on the Eccles, East Bank Demerara public road on the night of January 29th, while he was on his way home.
He was heading to his residence at La Parfait Harmonie on the West Bank of Demerara at the time.