Bartica massacre trial
… details acquaintance with transported “Fineman” gang
Incarcerated and self-confessed gang member of the 2008 Bartica massacre, Celbert Reece, took the stand at the Demerara High Court once again where he continued his testimony and was crossed-examined by defence Attorney, Roger Yearwood. Reece continued his testimony one day after he began, where he told the 12-member jury that he and fellow accused, Dennis Williams knew each other for a number of years and would often “go out and sport”. He also told the court that he met another accused, Mark Royden Williams for the first time when he came to the boat.
Court in Georgetown on Thursday afternoon, escorted by Police
The witness, who was the boat driver that transported the “Fineman” gang, further explained that he picked up Williams and several other gang members from an area at Ann’s Grove, days before the February 17, 2008 attack. Reece recalled that between Friday (February 15, 2008), Saturday and Sunday (the day of the massacre), he was in the company of Mark Williams.
Reece also told the court that the boat was light blue and white and carried a “75 Yamaha Engine”. The witness who claimed that he was familiar with boats and engines “all his life” described the boat as 25-feet in length and about eight to10-feet in width.
Reece clarified that at Parika, East Bank Essequibo; he met with two persons, one “rasta person” and an “Indian person” but claimed that he was only familiar with the “rasta” individual by seeing him at Parika. According to the State Witness’ account, he went to the Tiger Bay wharf where he met a woman known to him. It was at this point that he went to Ann’s Grove where seven gang members were picked up.
Reece noted that these persons were “Sadman”, Micheal Ceasar, “Mud-up”, “Chung Boy”, “Magic”, “Kussom” and “Small Man”. He also noted that they had haversacks on their backs.
Defence Counsels Yearwood, Saphier Hussian and Peter Hugh representing Michael Caesar, Mark Royden Williams and Dennis Williams, all took turns and raised objections to the prosecution’s line of questioning, by way of suggesting answers to solicit a particular answer/response. Hussain accused State Prosecutor, Diana Kaulesar of “cross-examining the witness”.
However Justice Roxanne George, SC, ruled that the questions were not leading, noting that clarifying questions can be asked. George further pointed out the questions were not in violation of Section 76 of the Evidence Act.
As the State Prosecutor continued questioning the witness, Reece revealed that he pulled the boat alongside the boathouse at the Bartica Stelling and at this point, “Small Man” was dressed in long camouflage pants, a long sleeved camouflage top, a black tope, and carried an AK-47 gun and belt around his waist. Reece said that he was dressed in blue three-quarter pants and a blue shirt, but was not armed.
Reece recalled that “Mud-up” wore camouflage clothing, while “Small Frame”, who wore “ordinary clothes”, was not armed. Reece further claimed that on the night of the attack, “Small Man” and Dennis Williams were two feet away from each other. When asked by Prosecutor Kaulesar why he wanted to escape from Fineman’s gang, the witness explained that he wanted to see if his family was safe.
Cross-examination
Under cross-examination by Attorney Yearwood, Reece revealed that before the Bartica incident, he was imprisoned on two gun-related robbery charges. The State witness denied that he ever knew Fineman before the Bartica incident, but agreed that knew “a lot about guns”.
When questioned as to why he didn’t go to the Police on his stops to Georgetown during the days surrounding the attack, Reece noted that he was not alone and was afraid of “Fineman” and his gang. He noted that “seven times” he thought about escaping.
Reece also rejected the suggestion that he was the one who financed the entire operation, which was in reference to the $500,000 he reportedly gave to “Shem” who was sent by “Fineman” to purchase food supplies. He also told Yearwood that he didn’t know that Dennis Williams was part of the gang.
Reece stated further that when he had finally escaped, he still feared “Fineman” and his gang. He noted too that when the Police arrested him, he was held for 13 days without being charged and that he was placed on “7 ID parades” before finally learning about his charges at Court One of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Reece was sentenced to 420 years total imprisonment while his cousin, Michael Caesar, was handed a 1080-year cumulative sentence. The men along with co-accused Mark Royden Williams, Dennis Williams and Roger Simon were allegedly part of the Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins gang which attacked the town and fatally shot 12 persons, namely Police Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne. Additionally, Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas and Baldeo Singh were the civilians killed.
