Brothers on trial for Brazilian’s murder

…Boat captain denies manslaughter charge

Two brothers, Phillip and Fidel Williams, are currently on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a jury at the High Court in Essequibo for murder. Together, they have been indicted for the February 9, 2016 murder of Brazilian national, Naldinho DeCosta Souza which occurred at Fish Creek, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). They both pleaded not guilty.

Reports are Souza’s throat was slit when he was attacked by four men. Following investigations, a wanted bulletin was issued for Fidel Williams, who was implicated in the murder by his close relative.

When Fidel Williams was caught by lawmen, he reportedly confessed to being one of the four men who was involved in the incident.
In another case before the same Judge, boat captain Tyrone Da Silva was indicted by State Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken for manslaughter over the unlawful killing of Ryan De Freitas who died in a boat collision at Grant, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

A 12-member jury has been empanelled to hear the case which will see some 11 witnesses testifying on behalf of the prosecution. The accused killer, who has pleaded not guilty to the charge, is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Lachmi Dindayal.
According to reports, the now dead man, who was 28 years old at the time of the accident, was a passenger in a wooden boat powered by a 200hp Yamaha outboard engine that was heading to Port Kaituma. That boat collided with a similar boat that was heading to Charity, Essequibo Coast.

It was reported that Da Silva was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. De Freitas was tossed out of the boat following the collision on August 31, 2016. His body was later fished out of the river. His cause of death was given as multiple injuries.