Man deported from France remanded for gold miner’s murder
After eluding local Police for more than a decade, a 44-year-old man who was recently deported from France has been remanded to prison until July 25 for a murder he allegedly committed in 2006.
Michael O’lando Corrica, of Lot 2 Fourth Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was arraigned on Wednesday before Bartica Magistrate Esther Sam, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder, committed contrary to Section 100 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
It is alleged that Corrica murdered Oswald Joris, a gold miner nicknamed “Buns”, in February 2006 during a heated argument in Bartica. After fleeing Guyana through an illegal departure at Moleson Creek, Corrica, called “Tall Man”, made his way to Suriname, before settling in French Guiana. He managed to stay under the radar for several years as he worked illegally in that country.
Eventually, Corrica moved to France, where he secured employment as a labourer with a construction company. His run came to an end when French authorities apprehended him for possession of a stolen cell phone. He was arrested, taken into custody, and subsequently charged with the theft.
Corrica admitted guilt and was given a nine-year prison sentence in France. Following his release, Corrica was placed in French immigration custody until June 21, 2023, when he was deported to Guyana.
Remanded: Michael O’lando Corrica
Upon arrival in Guyana, he was immediately taken into custody by ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), for questioning regarding the murder of the gold miner.
According to reports, Corrica and Joris had been acquainted with each other.
The former allegedly operated a shop in the Arimu area, where Joris worked as a gold miner. In February 2006, a violent altercation between these two men erupted over a woman at Papa Road, Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River. During the confrontation, Corrica allegedly attacked Joris, inflicting fatal chops on his body before fleeing the scene. Joris unfortunately succumbed to his injuries before receiving medical attention at the Bartica Regional Hospital.
