Ex-GDF rank shot Kitty man with friend’s service weapon – jury hears

Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank Jonathon Williams on Monday took the stand at the High Court, where he admitted that the service pistol he has uplifted from GDF’s Camp Ayanganna headquarters was used to shoot Devon Howell.
Williams, of West Coast Berbice, was a friend of former GDF rank Alistair Woolford, who stands accused of killing Howell.

Woolford’s trial commenced before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member mixed jury. He is facing a manslaughter charge as it is contended that he discharged a loaded firearm at Howell with intent to murder him. Howell was shot on November 21, 2014 at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown. He was hospitalised after the incident, and succumbed to his injuries three weeks later on December 8, 2014.
At Monday’s hearing, Williams testified that armed with his weapon, he visited Woolford’s Kitty residence and requested to use the toilet. His story was that as he was in there, he heard the gun go off and he immediately fled the toilet and saw Woolford attempting to apply first aid to Howell, who was still alive at that point. In the midst of several audible breaths, the witness pointed out that Woolford was his squaddie as they trained together in the army.

Earlier during court proceedings, another friend, Daniel Fletchman recalled witnessing Woolford aim an apparently silver gun towards Howell and it went off. He said Howell spun around before falling to the ground.
In an opening address to the jury, State Prosecutor Mandell Moore said that on the day in question, Woolford, armed with a gun, shot and killed his friend. Howell reportedly received injuries to his upper spinal cord, and died without regaining consciousness. Woolford is represented by Attorneys Compton Richardson and Hewley Griffith. He was previously released on bail prior to his matter being called up in the High Court.