A manslaughter charge against Kester Lewis, the salesman accused of killing a Triumph, East Coast Demerara father of two, David Barclay, in a road accident, has been upgraded to murder. The new charge was recommended by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) following the findings of a post-mortem examination that was performed on Barclay.
Dead: David Barclay
On Thursday, Lewis was informed of the new charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on December 29, 2020, at D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, he murdered 29-year-old Barclay.
Lewis, who was previously released on $300,000 bail on the manslaughter charge, was remanded to prison on the murder charge until the hearing and determination of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI).
Reports are that on December 29, 2020, Barclay was driving along D’Urban Street, Georgetown, when his motor car encountered mechanical problems. As such, he contacted Lewis, who also works as a mechanic, for assistance. It is alleged that Lewis turned up at the location and fixed the problem, but Barclay was reportedly short of $700 to pay him.
Remanded: Kester Lewis
This publication understands that the mechanic’s fee was $4000, but Barclay only had $3300. This led to an argument. During the argument, the mechanic reportedly jumped into his car, drove off and slammed into the man. After he was struck, Barclay was dragged several feet.
The mechanic then fled the scene, leaving the injured man on the roadway.
Persons in the area who witnessed the incident rushed to the aid of the young man. He was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed at the Accident and Emergency Unit while receiving medical attention.
