104 cases set for February session of Berbice Assizes
One hundred and four cases are listed for hearing at the Criminal Assizes of the Berbice High Court in New Amsterdam, the February session of which was officially opened on Tuesday with the traditional march-past activity done by members of the Guyana Police Force outside of the court compound along Esplanade Road in New Amsterdam.
Delroy Robertson is awaiting sentencing for killing Kevin Garraway in 2020
The Assizes will be presided over by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, at least until March 31.
Among the cases listed for hearing are: nine for murder; nine for manslaughter, and two for robbery-related matters. However, most of the cases listed are for rape-related indictments, with 29 being either for rape or for being involved in sexual activity with a child below the age of 16 years. Twelve additional cases involve engaging in sexual activity with a family member, and eleven are in relation to rape committed on women.
Delroy Robertson, called ‘Don Dance’, of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice, was charged with murder, but has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter; thereby admitting that on March 30, 2020, he caused the death of Kevin Garraway.
When asked if he was admitting to causing the death of Garraway, Robertson said he had pelted him with a cutlass. “Ah shy he on he foot with a cutlass. I know he had one cut, which was from the cutlass which I pelt he with,” he told Justice Barlow.
Deceased: Kevin Garraway
State Prosecutor Muntaz Ali informed the court that Garraway had died as a result of excessive bleeding, shock and hemorrhage. He detailed that the two men had been childhood friends until Garraway left the village at the age of 13 years to take up residence with his mother in the mining town of Linden.
In March 2020, Garraway returned to the village to visit his grandmother, and shortly after arriving in the village, he took a walk on the road and was attacked by Robertson, who accused him of allowing his friends to ‘violate him’ a month before, while they were at the Berbice car park in Georgetown.
Justice Barlow has ordered a probation report on Robertson. He will have to return to court on February 29 for sentencing, when the probation report should be presented to the court. (G4)
