Farmer arraigned for murder of boat Captain

A farmer who allegedly beat a 47-year-old boat Captain to death at Kumuka wharf, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) was on Thursday arraigned for the capital offence of murder when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Twenty-six-year-old Marcus Joaquin, a farmer of Mabaruma, NWD, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty and was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on November 30, 2019, at Kumuka Waterfront, NWD, he murdered, Cleveland James.
According to the Prosecutor, both men were known to each other and it is alleged that on the day in question, James was sitting at a boat landing in the company of his wife and three-year-old son.
However, shortly after, the accused exited his yard using a series of expletives.
The man then threw a beer bottle at the couple and an argument ensued. As a result, James and his wife walked away and the defendant pushed James twice.
The court heard that the accused then picked up a plank of wood and dealt James one blow to his neck after which he fled the scene.
The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Mabaruma hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Hence, the matter was then reported and Joaquin was arrested and charged for the offence.
He will make his next court appearance on February 18, 2020.