Men charged with 2022 murder in Mabaruma to face trial after Judge rejects guilty pleas

Two men jointly charged with the 2022 murder of Mabaruma youth Jude Christino will now face a Judge and a jury after their guilty pleas were rejected on Wednesday by Acting Chief Justice Avinash Singh in the Demerara High Court.
Wayne DaSilva, 22, called “Monkey Man”, and OJ Samuel Smith, called “Red Boy”, appeared before Justice Singh in relation to the fatal stabbing of Christino at Kumaka Waterfront, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima–Waini).
When the indictable charge was read, DaSilva initially indicated that he “accepted” the allegation, suggesting a guilty plea to murder. However, during questioning by the court to ensure the plea was voluntary and unequivocal, he appeared confused, stuttered, and held his head as though unwell.
Justice Singh paused the proceedings and enquired whether DaSilva was fit to proceed. After being informed that he was not feeling well, the Judge carefully questioned him to determine whether he understood the nature and consequences of a guilty plea.

Under further examination, DaSilva gave conflicting accounts. At one point, he appeared to admit involvement; at another, he denied killing Christino. He told the court he had gone to the area as a “peacemaker” and attempted to separate Christino and Smith. He claimed that while pulling Christino away, the young man “collapsed” in his hands.
When pressed about how Christino sustained stab wounds, DaSilva alternated between admitting and denying responsibility. He later stated that he saw Smith stab Christino multiple times in the neck.
Given the inconsistencies, Justice Singh ruled that the plea was not clear and unequivocal and therefore entered a formal not guilty plea on DaSilva’s behalf. Smith also addressed the court. He claimed that DaSilva had instructed him to hold Christino during the altercation. When asked why he complied, Smith said he feared for his life because DaSilva was armed with a knife.

Smith alleged that DaSilva told him to “hold him”, and while he restrained Christino out of fear, DaSilva stabbed the teen. Although Smith initially indicated a willingness to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, his explanation introduced possible elements of duress.
Justice Singh noted that, based on the accounts given, potential defences could arise and the court could not safely accept the pleas as presented. As a result, he rejected both pleas. The matter has been set down for trial on March 17.
DaSilva and Smith were previously charged in 2022 for the murder of 18-year-old Jude Christino, who was fatally stabbed at Kumaka Waterfront, Mabaruma. At the time of the incident, Smith was a 16-year-old.
Reports at the time indicated that the stabbing stemmed from an altercation after Christino allegedly interrupted a conversation between one of the accused and his girlfriend. The disagreement reportedly escalated into violence, resulting in Christino being stabbed multiple times.
The accused were initially remanded when they first appeared before the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court in August 2022. The case will now proceed to trial in the Demerera High Court. The case was prosecuted by state attorneys Christopher Belfield and Geneva Wills.