3rd man convicted of killing overseas-based Guyanese

Sentencing is scheduled for next month for a Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) man convicted of murder. Wayne Anthony Chester, called “Sharky”, 26, was found guilty of the capital offence on Thursday last by a jury in the murder of 40-year-old Purcell Moore, who was shot and killed during a robbery on December 20, 2017, at Craig, EBD.

Upon his arraignment before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Demerara, Chester, who was represented by legal counsel, had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In June 2021, two men—Selwin Dawson and Kevin Persaud—were each sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Kissoon for the heinous crime. Though initially indicted for murder, the duo, both 23, had opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. They must spend 15 years in jail before being considered for parole.
In sentencing the men, Justice Kissoon had remarked, “This callous crime and course of conduct displayed by [Persaud and Dawson] must be addressed. Members of society ought to be free to move about…whether in the precinct of the business community in downtown Georgetown, in their neighbourhood, or their homes…”
Considering this, he had noted that the sentence of the court must not only fit the dastardly act committed by the duo, but also serve as a deterrent to like-minded offenders. Dawson has since filed an appeal against his sentence at the Court of Appeal of Guyana.

According to reports, Moore, who had returned to Guyana from French Guiana for the Christmas holidays, was returning to his parents’ home from a shop when he was confronted by armed men.
It was reported that an argument erupted between Moore and the suspects, which resulted in a scuffle, during which several rounds were discharged at Moore and the men fled the scene. During the ordeal, Moore was relieved of the gold chain he was wearing.
The injured man was pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD. In May 2019, Chester was jailed for a series of offences, including robbery under arms.
He was given five years’ imprisonment on the robbery charge, three years for possession of an unlicenced firearm, three years for possession of unlicenced ammunition, another three years for discharging a loaded firearm, and six months for damage to property. The sentences will run concurrently which means he will only serve five years behind bars.

Particulars of the robbery charge had stated that on January 6, 2019, at Conciliation Drive, Tucville, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and being armed with an unlicensed gun, he robbed Bowen Cromwell of $512,600 in cash and jewellery. On the same date and at the same place, he also damaged car parts belonging to Cromwell and shot at him.