Prominent Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes on Monday asked the court to throw out the case against former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, who is accused of causing the death of former national cyclist Jude Bentley.
Best, 62, is on trial before Magistrate Rondel Weever in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where Inspector Shellon Daniels is prosecuting the matter.
Best was accused of driving motor vehicle PRR 8182 in a manner dangerous to the public along Clive Lloyd Drive, Greater Georgetown thereby causing the death of Bentley on February 8, 2020.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he drove the motor vehicle while his blood alcohol level was 85 micrograms, which is above the legal limit of alcohol consumption.
Dead: Former national cyclist Jude Bentley
In relation to the causing death charge, Best, an executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), pleaded not guilty and was ordered to post bail in the sum of $500,000. In relation to the charge of driving under the influence, he was released on his own recognisance (self-bail).
As a condition of bail, Best was ordered to report to the Police Force’s Traffic Headquarters on specified dates until the completion of his trial.
When the matter was called on Monday, Hughes, in presenting his no-case submission, contended that there was not enough evidence to find Best guilty of the crime.
As a result, the matter was adjourned until November 4, 2020, to allow the Prosecutor to respond.
Meanwhile, on the day in question, Best was taken into custody, but later complained of feeling unwell and, as such, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted. Best, at the time, was an advisor to then President David Granger.
