Auto dealer slapped with manslaughter charge, released on $500,000 bail

GSA ‘accidental’ shooting

An auto dealer charged for allegedly shooting his acquaintance was on Monday released on $500,000 bail when he made his appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
Sean Stoll, 36, was not required to plea to the indictable charge which alleged that on April 29, at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, he unlawfully killed Nafasie Edghill.

According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question, the accused, Edghill and three other men were in a car when they reportedly went to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) compound to locate another man who owed one of them money.
It was reported that Edghill and Stoll began tantalising each other and later got involved in a playful scuffle. During the scuffle, a round went off and Edghill fell to the ground, clutching his abdomen.
The 29-year-old gold miner of Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown, succumbed while receiving treatment at a private city hospital.
Stoll was represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes who asked for his client to be released on bail because he is not a flight risk. He added that Stoll has an unblemished record and has since provided the Police with a statement.
Hughes told the court that the circumstances surrounding Edghill’s demise are very unfortunate. The lawyer said that his client and the now dead man had been close friends for over a decade.
Hughes stated that on the fatal evening, the two friends were travelling to NAREI when they became involved in a scuffle. According to Hughes, Edghill grabbed his client and in the process was injured when his own gun went off.
The Attorney related that both men are licensed firearm holders.
However, Hughes’s bail application was met with objection from Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Althea Solomon. Solomon asked the court to deny the accused his pre-trial liberty citing the prevalence and nature of the offence.
He also pointed out that should the accused be released on bail, there is a likelihood that he might tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses. The Prosecutor indicated that Police investigations are still ongoing in the matter.
But Solomon’s objections were overruled by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul who granted Stoll bail with conditions attached. The accused was ordered to lodge his passport and report to the Sparendaam Police Station every Friday.
The matter was adjourned until June 23.