Labourer to stand trial over fatal beating of friend at Timehri wharf
Phillip Solomon, the labourer charged with fatally beating a friend with a paddle during an altercation at the Timehri Wharf last year, was yesterday committed to stand trial for the offence.
The charge against Solomon alleged that on October 24th, 2018, at the Timehri Docks on the East Bank of Demerara, he murdered Vernon Cummings.
Magistrate Leron Daly, who presided over the preliminary inquiry (PI), yesterday told Solomon that based on the evidence led by the prosecution’s witnesses, there was sufficient evidence for him to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.
According to reports, Solomon and Cummings were friends and both worked as labourers at the docks. They would also drink together and have arguments.
On the day in question, the men were drinking and had a misunderstanding, which led to an argument and then a physical altercation.
During the scuffle, it was reported that Cummings armed himself with a piece of iron, while the accused picked up a wooden
An 18-year-old mini-bus conductor was released on bail after he denied stealing a cellphone on Croal Street when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Andre Price, a bus conductor on Route 47, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to a charge which stated that on October 17th at Croal Street, Georgetown, he stole a cellphone worth $40,000 from Kevin Lowe.
Price was unrepresented by counsel. Police Prosecutor Annalisa paddle and they began to lash each other. Solomon’s brother, after being informed of the fight, reportedly rushed to the scene to make peace. The man, according to the police, took the piece of iron from Cummings, which led to Solomon lashing Cummings to his head, causing him to fall to the ground.
Cummings was later rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he died while receiving treatment.
Brummell told the court that on the night in question, Lowe was standing by an iBet store and was texting on his phone, when the instrument was snatched by the defendant. She added that a video of the incident was released and it showed that Price was in the company of other men, who were observing Lowe. Price moved from them, walked up to Lowe, and snatched the phone, she said.
The matter was reported and Price was arrested and taken into custody at the Brickdam Police Station.
No objections to bail were made but the prosecutor asked that conditions be applied. Price was released on $10,000 bail and ordered to report to the Brickdam Police Station every Monday at 9am.
His next court appearance will be on November 6th.