Man who killed wife 21 years ago to face murder charge

– admits to murdering woman because of “infidelity”

A Hururu Mission, Region One resident who confessed to killing his wife 21 years ago, after accusing her of being unfaithful to him, will be arraigned in court in the new week.

In September, 1998, the now 48-year-old Philbert Thomas, also called “Gilbert Thomas,” was at a Fun Day activity in Kwebanna village, Region One (Barima-Waini) when he stabbed his reputed wife, Viola Thomas, to death.
A senior Police officer, who at the time of the murder was stationed in Region One, has said that stabbing incident was witnessed by more than 100 persons. That Police officer explained that the suspect had fled the scene moments after committing the act, and had since not been seen or heard from.
Guyana Times understands that Philbert and the late Viola Thomas had been involved in a relationship for years prior to the stabbing incident, and she had mothered his children.
After the murder was committed in 1998, the file was sent to the then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice, and investigators were told to arrest and charge Thomas for murder, but he could not be located.
However, Thomas was last month charged for felonious wounding committed on his ex-lover Dally Gobin and her friend Leaymond Smith. It was reported that, on the day in question, the victims were imbibing at Gobin’s house when the suspect showed up without being invited. This resulted in a heated argument among them. The argument degenerated into a scuffle, and the suspect allegedly whipped out a knife and dealt Gobin a stab. He then turned his attention to Smith, and stabbed him once before fleeing the scene.
The victims were taken to the Kwakwani Hospital, where they were treated and referred to the Linden Hospital Complex. There they were admitted, and subsequently discharged.
Thomas was arrested while hiding at a camp in the Hururu Backlands, and was subsequently charged.
It was after this story had been published in the media that persons who had witnessed him murdering his wife contacted the Police.
Commander of “F” Division (Interior locations), Kevin Adonis, told this publication that someone contacted ranks of his division with information that Thomas has been wanted by the Police some 21 years ago for murdering his reputed wife, but was never arrested or charged for the incident.
According to the Police Commander, an investigation was immediately launched into the matter, and Thomas was subsequently interrogated about the murder. Thomas has since admitted to the Police that he had murdered Viola because she had been “unfaithful” to him.