Gas station bombing case: Taxi driver to challenge confession; mastermind wants lawyer

The court was informed on Wednesday that Defence Attorneys intend to challenge the admissibility of alleged confession statements in the high-profile gas station bombing case, as concerns were also raised over several accused being unable to secure legal representation due to limited contact with their families.
The matter was called before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where disclosure issues and representation concerns dominated proceedings.

During the hearing, Magistrate McGusty disclosed that Attorney Mikel Puran of Ramsay Law, who represents 27-year-old Guyanese taxi driver Johnny Boodram, has formally indicated his intention to contest any confession statements the prosecution intends to rely on.
The court granted the defence until January 28 to submit written legal arguments outlining the basis of the challenge. Once those submissions are filed, the court will determine whether the statements can be admitted into evidence.
Attention later shifted to the issue of legal representation for Venezuelan nationals, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, 33, identified by investigators as the principal suspect, and Alexander Bettancourt, 44.
Speaking through an interpreter, Bettancourt told the court that since being remanded to custody, he has had limited contact with his family, making it difficult for him to retain an attorney.
Poedemo echoed the concern, responding simply, “Yo también” (“Me too”), indicating that he too wishes to secure legal representation but has been unable to contact relatives who could assist in doing so.
The Magistrate acknowledged the issue and directed that arrangements be made to facilitate communication between the accused and their families.
A prison officer present in court informed Magistrate McGusty that welfare officers have been attempting to contact Bettancourt’s wife, though communication has been inconsistent. He assured the court that efforts would continue, with contact attempts being made at least twice weekly. In Poedemo’s case, the officer said attempts are ongoing to reach his mother.

Also appearing before the court on Wednesday were Venezuelan national Krystal LaCruz and Boodram. Attorney-at-law Tifaine Rutherford, appearing on behalf of LaCruz, informed the court that the defence intends to submit statements on her behalf as part of the disclosure process.
With several matters still outstanding, including the filing of defence statements and the issue of legal representation, Magistrate McGusty adjourned the case to February 4.
The accused are among seven persons charged in connection with the October 26, 2025, bombing at the Mobil Service Station at the corner of Regent and King Streets, Georgetown. The explosion claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left several other persons injured.
Poedemo faces a separate indictable charge of committing an act of terrorism, alleging that he used an explosive device at the fuel station with the intent to threaten Guyana’s sovereignty and security or to instil fear among the population. He was not required to plead to the charge.
Bettancourt, LaCruz, and Boodram are jointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo in carrying out the attack. The remaining accused, Jennifer Rodriguez, Wayne Correia, 44, and Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, are appearing in relation to the matter at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Alisha George.
Investigators have alleged that images of the explosive device were recovered from Poedemo’s mobile phone and later examined by specialists. Police have also relied on surveillance footage, which reportedly shows Poedemo and an accomplice arriving at the service station shortly before the blast, near an area where cooking gas cylinders were stored.
Following a nationwide manhunt, Poedemo was arrested at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo. Authorities have since linked him to a Venezuelan criminal gang and have indicated that the State intends to pursue the matter under Guyana’s anti-terrorism laws.