East St acid attack: “I do not have trials by public opinion” – Magistrate tells Police in clash over bail

Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty, has criticised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for what she describes as a misleading public statement regarding her handling of a high-profile acid attack case.

On Wednesday evening, the Police Force had criticised the acting Chief Magistrate for granting bail earlier in the day to a man accused of allegedly dousing two women with acid.
At the start of her Court proceedings on Thursday, Magistrate McGusty took time out to respond to the GPF, stating that she was both surprised by the tone and content of the statement issued.
She contended that the Police Force might have received erroneous information since the missive it published misrepresented what had actually occurred in her Courtroom. According to the Magistrate, the Force would be better served to have someone appear in the Courtroom so that they can have the correct information on the proceedings.
The acting Chief Justice went on to underscore the importance of Police investigations being properly carried out and that all information provided to the prosecutors be fully screened in order to ensure accuracy when presenting to the Court.
In fact, she pointed out that some of the details in the GPF’s statement were not even relayed in Court. “It seems like it was trial by public opinion,” Magistrate McGusty said on Thursday about the Police’s statement, adding that “I do not have trials by public opinion.”
Nevertheless, the acting Chief Magistrate announced that she will be recording all proceedings before her henceforth to prevent any future misrepresentation from her Courtroom.

Acid attack
The case in question relates to the September 3, 2025, acid attack committed on 27-year-old, Genesis Leitch and 20-year-old Nirmala Sukraj.
On Tuesday, 32-year-old Keron Mervin Daniels of Uitvlugt Pasture, East Bank Essequibo, was remanded to prison after being arraigned on two counts of throwing a corrosive substance with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
During the arraignment, prosecutors had strongly objected to bail, citing CCTV footage capturing Daniels in the act and highlighting the severe injuries sustained by Leitch, who has severe burns to her face, stomach, and hand while she is visually impaired in one of her eyes. Sukraj, on the other hand, received minor burns.
Police had reported that the women were attacked after leaving Balwant Singh Hospital around 15:30h on September 3. A white motorcar pulled alongside them, and a passenger flung a bottle filled with a corrosive liquid before fleeing. Investigators believe the attack stemmed from a short-lived relationship between Daniels and Leitch, which ended on bitter terms earlier this year.
Magistrate McGusty had requested to see the CCTV footage, and the Police prosecutors committed to producing it the following day. But when the matter was called again on Wednesday, the prosecution informed the Court that although the CCTV recording had been obtained, it was not available in time for the hearing. In those circumstances, the Principal Magistrate granted Daniels bail of $500,000. He is scheduled to return to Court on October 22.

“Grave disappointment”
However, the GPF in its Wednesday missive expressed “grave disappointment” over the Court’s bail decision. They noted that Daniels had provided a video confession and that Leitch, still hospitalised, had pleaded for justice from her bed.
“According to the medical officials, the victim has lost sight in one of her eyes, and her face is severely disfigured. Nevertheless, the Magistrate still granted bail in the sum of $500,000,” the statement read.
The Police Force also highlighted concerns about the high likelihood of repeat offences, especially when the accused continues to have ready access to the victim. They noted that despite the heavy prevalence of violence against women in Guyana, Magistrates often fail to take this crucial factor into account when granting bail.
“Notwithstanding these setbacks, the Guyana Police Force pledges to continue to make every possible effort in reducing, if not wholly eradicating, these heinous acts of violence being committed so wantonly against the women in our society,” the statement read.