Demerara October assizes begins with 183 cases

…69 matters completed at last session

The Demerara October 2024 Criminal Assizes officially commenced on Tuesday, October 1, marking a significant event in the judicial calendar with a staggering total of 183 cases scheduled for trial. This session promises to address a wide range of criminal offenses, highlighting the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served.
The event commenced with a ceremonial parade held outside the High Court in Georgetown, a tradition that underscores the importance of these judicial proceedings. Esteemed members of the judiciary presiding over the hearings include Justice Navindra Singh, Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Justice Sandil Kissoon, Madam Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, and Justice Peter Hugh. Their experience and expertise will guide the trials as they navigate the complexities of the cases presented.
In a display of solidarity and discipline, members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) participated in a formal march along the southern side of the courthouse, moving gracefully along South Road and Croal Street. The ceremony was steeped in tradition, with Justice Singh leading the proceedings, taking the salute, and inspecting the Guard of Honour.
The term “assize” has a rich historical context, derived from Middle English and the Old French word *assise*, which means “to sit, settle, assess.” Historically, it referred to a court session that convened periodically in counties across England and Wales to address civil and criminal law matters. This legal practice was imported into Guyana during its colonial era, integrating into the country’s common law framework and shaping its legal landscape.
The Demerara Criminal Assizes are held four times a year: on the second Tuesday in January, the first Tuesday in April, the first Tuesday in June, and the first Tuesday in October. The current session’s docket includes a diverse array of serious offenses, ranging from murder and manslaughter to sexual offenses, attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm, narcotics trafficking, abduction, fraud, conspiracy to commit various felonies, robbery under arms, wrongful confinement, and accessory after the fact.
In a related update, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) provided insights into the previous June 2024 Criminal Assizes, which began on June 4 with an extensive list of 234 cases. Justices Simone Morris-Ramlall, Jo-Ann Barlow, Sandil Kissoon, and Navindra Singh presided over that session. During these previous assizes, the State successfully resolved 69 matters; of the 44 cases presented in the High Court, several were tied to serious offenses, including 13 for murder, six for manslaughter, and various sexual offenses.
The outcomes of the June session highlighted the complexities and challenges inherent in the judicial process. There were four jury verdicts of guilty, 11 guilty pleas, and numerous not guilty verdicts. In a notable case, one jury returned a hung verdict, and the proceedings also resulted in 14 formal not guilty verdicts—five stemming from no-case submissions upheld by the trial judge and nine where complainants opted not to proceed with their cases.
Senior State Counsel Taneisha Saygon, along with her colleagues, played a crucial role in concluding eight matters before Justice Barlow. The cases included two for murder, five for sexual offenses, and one for manslaughter. In six of these eight matters, juries returned unanimous not guilty verdicts, demonstrating the complexity of the evidence and the standards required for conviction. In contrast, one defendant was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to an extensive 26 years in prison, while in another case, the complainant chose not to proceed, resulting in a formal not guilty verdict from the trial judge.
Proceedings continued in Justice Kissoon’s court, where State Counsel Caressa Henry, Alvaro Ramotar, Joy Williams, and Padma Dubraj handled five significant cases. Two of these were murder cases, while the remaining three involved attempts to commit murder, accompanied by alternative counts of felonious wounding. In one murder trial, both accused pleaded guilty, resulting in sentences of 20 and 18 years, respectively, with additional court orders mandating anger management and vocational training during their incarceration.
In another courtroom, Justice Peter Hugh oversaw 13 cases with the involvement of State Counsel Delon Fraser, Simran Gajraj, and Mikel Puran. Among these cases, three were murder charges, and one involved manslaughter. The proceedings highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the legal system. In one trial, the judge upheld a no-case submission, leading to a formal not guilty verdict. In another instance, two accused individuals pleaded guilty to lesser charges, receiving sentences of 17 and 15 years, respectively.
The judicial landscape in Guyana also reflects the realities of complex legal challenges. In Justice Ally-Seepaul’s court, State Counsel Rbina Christmas, Padma Dubraj, and Mtumika Lumumba prosecuted five cases, which included three murder charges. In one instance, an accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of manslaughter and received a 12-year sentence. Another accused was found guilty of murder and sentenced to an extensive 29 years.
The DPP’s office also reported 24 matters classified as nolle prosequi, which were dropped for various reasons. These included the unfitness of two accused individuals to stand trial, the deaths of three complainants, and several written statements from complainants indicating their unwillingness to proceed with the cases.