Pending Constitutional Court ruling further delays start of trial

“Mango Man” murder
By Shemuel Fanfair

Although 10 years have passed since businessman Kumar “Mango Man” Singh was shot and killed during an invasion of his Cove and John, East Coast Demerara home, the trial of two men implicated for his murder could not proceed at the High Court.

Businessman Kumar “Mango Man” Singh was shot dead 10 years ago during an invasion at his home

Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, along with another accused, Sherwin Nero, also known as “Catty”, made their second appearance before Justice Brassington Reynolds on Thursday, but the State was once again prevented from laying the murder indictment against the duo.
The continued judicial delay is as a result of a pending matter that is before acting Chief Justice Roxane George, which was brought on by defence counsel Nigel Hughes on behalf of Nero, which, among other things, contends that nine years waiting for a trial violates Article 144 of Guyana’s Constitution. Section I of the Article states: “If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.”
At Thursday’s court appearance, Hughes said that the acting Chief Justice’s ruling on the matter could be handed down by year-end or early next year.
After this disclosure was made, Justice Reynolds, in acknowledging receipt of the prosecution’s response to Hughes’ submissions, further noted that his court “ought to await the pronouncement by the constitutional court”. As such, the Judge deferred the matter to be heard in another session of the Demerara Assizes. Amid heavy security, the duo was led off and escorted to prison where they will remain until the matter is called up in court again.
However, “Smallie” will still remain incarcerated whether or not he is absolved of the killing of “Mango Man”, since he was sentenced to death by hanging in February 2017 for his involvement in the 2008 Bartica Massacre whereby 12 persons, including three Policemen, were slaughtered.
Williams’ brushes with the law did not end with his death sentence as he escaped prison in July 2017. During his escape, prison officer Odinga Wickham was killed, and the Camp Street Prison was reduced to ashes. Williams was recaptured on October 9, 2017 on his way to Suriname. He was a passenger in a minibus, which was intercepted at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice.
The “Mango Man” murder case came up for High Court trial in June 2014 before another Judge, but was prevented from continuing owing to an objection by one of the accused. On August 30, 2007, four gunmen stormed Singh’s home where he was shot dead. In July 2008, the two suspects were initially charged for the capital offence.