Fire murder accused denies robbery charges
Jason Howard, one of the men charged with the murder by fire of Good Hope rice farmers Mohamed and Jamilla Munir, was allowed to plead to several robbery charges in a city court on Thursday.
Howard pleaded not guilty to the charge that on November 18, 2016, he allegedly robbed Sheik Sadick of $35,000 at 248 Oronoque Street, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun.
He also pleaded not guilty to the amended charge of attempting to murder Quacy Joseph on October 21, 2016 Water Street.
A not guilty plea was also entered by the 21year-old as it relates to the armed robbery of Roopnarine Budhu, whom he allegedly robbed of $800,000, and the armed robbery of Bibi Bacchus, whom he allegedly robbed of $100,000.
Howard also faces a joint charge with Curtis Vasconcellos for alleged attempted murder and armed robbery in relation to the Tower Suites heist, where the hotel’s accountant was relieved of $2.9 million. The two men were told that the case file is incomplete and is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
Howard is to appear before the Sparendaam Court on January 31 in relation to the charges for allegedly robbing Bacchus, while all the other charges will be heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where his next hearings are fixed for February 1.