Bodyguard’s murder: Paper committal proceedings for 2 accused

Paper committal proceedings will be used to determine the joint murder charge brought against two men in the shooting death of 40-year-old bodyguard/training officer Garfield Newton.
This has been announced by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in regard to the charges brought against 24-year-old Judah Vickery, called “Culture”, of South Ruimveldt Georgetown, and 25-year-old Darren Baley, aka “Fifty”, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
These two defendants, who were arraigned in this Senior Magistrate’s Georgetown court, were not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that, on December 24, 2021, they murdered Newton during the course or furtherance of a robbery.
When the matter continued on Tuesday, following an agreement between the prosecution and defence for the matter to proceed by way of a paper committal, the prosecution made full disclosure of witness statements and exhibits it intends to rely on to prove its case.
This case continues on September 26.
Newton, of Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, was killed moments after collecting several pieces of jewellery which he had taken to be cleaned at a goldsmith in Campbell Street, Albouystown, Georgetown. He had been employed as a bodyguard/training officer at the Beharry Group of Companies.
It was reported that after Newton had collected a silver band, one gold chain and two gold rings, he had made his way to the company’s motor van, which was parked on Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown. However, about five minutes later, the goldsmith was informed by a teenager that Newton had been shot, and was lying on the street.
As a result, the goldsmith went out and saw Newton, who had also been relieved of his employer’s licensed firearm, lying motionless on his abdomen. The injured man was pronounced dead at the scene by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has since issued a wanted bulletin for 18-year-old Kevin “Lil Boy” Carter in connection with Newton’s murder. Carter’s last known address is West Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown.
Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Carter is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 226-7065, 227-1270, 226-7476, 911, or at the nearest Police station. The Police have said that all information would be treated with the strictest confidence. (G1)