GDF captain still to be charged with partner’s murder
Captain Orwain Sandy, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank who fatally shot his common-law wife multiple times last Saturday, was not charged with the crime as expected yesterday.
Sandy was arrested after shooting his common-law wife Reona Payne, a travel agent, after an altercation last Saturday in Alexander Village, Georgetown.
Following the conduct of a post-mortem examination on Payne’s remains, Stabroek News had been told that Sandy was to be charged yesterday and relatives of both him and the deceased waited at the city court building throughout the day for the arraignment.
It is unclear why he was not charged as the postmortem examination has been completed and he has been in custody for five days.
The shooting occurred around 10.15 am on Saturday following an argument between Sandy and Payne.
After shooting a fleeing Payne some 14 times at First Street, Alexander Village, Sandy reportedly drove himself to the Ruimveldt Police Station and informed the police there of what transpired.
He also handed over the suspected murder weapon and was subsequently placed into custody. Payne died instantly. Although both Sandy and Payne were married to other people, they were living together for about five years at Sandy’s Lot 771 Providence, East Bank Demerara home.
In a statement, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) had confirmed that Sandy was immediately interdicted from duties and announced that an inquiry had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
“The Force is truly saddened by this occurrence and would want to reassure the general populace that this is an isolated incident and is not reflective of the Values and Standards of the Guyana Defence Force,” the statement had noted.
It added that the Chief Staff, Brigadier Patrick West had ordered the Inspector General of the GDF to conduct a board of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This newspaper was told by friends of the couple that they had been experiencing problems. Sandy has claimed that Payne was involved in a relationship with another rank of the GDF.