Berbice man granted $1M bail for causing death of his girlfriend

Alfred De Jonge, 46, of Coburg Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was on Wednesday charged with manslaughter and granted bail in the sum of $1 million for allegedly killing 22-year-old Stacy Walton.

De Jonge made his court appearance at the Reliance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Michelle Mathias and was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on June 20, at Number 7 Village, Public Road, East Coast Berbice, he unlawfully killed Walton.
The man was slapped with the charge following advice submitted by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
It was initially reported that the mother of one of Alexander Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, died in a car crash. Her body was pulled from a motorcar, which was partially submerged in a canal.
However, an autopsy performed by government pathologist Dr Bridegmohan gave the cause of death as asphyxia and drowning.
De Jonge, who operates a car rental service, was represented by attorney at law Chandra Sohan.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Mark Edwards told the court that when De Jonge was first contacted and questioned by investigators, the accused indicated that he was in another vehicle and was passing when he observed the vehicle in the canal and stopped and rendered assistance.
Later, when questioned, he admitted that he was in the vehicle with the now deceased, and he also admitted that he had narcotics in the vehicle, and after the car went overboard, he removed the narcotics, took them to another location and then returned to the scene sometime later to render assistance.
The prosecutor also told the court that the accused claimed that he and the now-dead woman had an argument in the car.
In objecting to bail, the prosecution told the court that there are still persons to be questioned, and if granted bail, the accused is likely to tamper with those witnesses.
But the defence attorney pointed out that the previous allegation the prosecution made mention of had nothing to do with this case, and the prosecution at that time had the opportunity to deal with the matter.
The prosecution had earlier told the court that the accused was previously indicted for an attempt to commit murder after he allegedly threw acid on another female and was committed to stand trial, but because the victim was not available to the court, the matter was disposed of.
The attorney argued that it was the conflicting story that the accused allegedly told investigators that caused the charge to be in question.
According to Sohan, there has been no attempt to prevent the course of justice and no attempt to tamper with any witnesses.
He asked the court to consider bail and promised that the accused will attend the trial.
However, the prosecution noted the serious nature of the offence and the penalty that it carries and urged the court not to grant bail, but Magistrate Matthias said based on the fact that it was the now-dead woman who was driving, bail was going to be granted.
Bail was set at $1 million, with the accused being ordered to lodge his passport and to report to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam every Friday morning.
The matter has been transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court and comes up again on July 21.