Police seek legal advice on way forward in Better Hope murder PI

Advice is being sought from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how to proceed with the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murders of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara moneychanger Aaron Latchman and his daughter Arian Latchman, after one of those accused of the murder escaped from the Lusignan Prison recently.
Jointly charged for the capital offence are 25-year-old Mark Rufino, a labourer of Parika Facade, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), the prison escapee, who remains on the run; 37-year-old Paul Chan, called “Long Hair” or “Anthony”, a bus conductor of Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown; 44-year-old Troy Abrams, called “Rasta Man”, a vendor of Middle Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD); 37-year-old Lloyd Sadloo, of Mocha Arcadia, EBD; and 41-year-old Sean Thomas, called “Yankee”, an electrician of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown.
During a recent court hearing, presiding Magistrate Alisha George sitting at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts granted the prosecution leave to seek advice from the DPP on how to proceed with the matter given that the five accused men are jointly charged. The prosecution will report to the Magistrate on January 29, 2021.
According to Police reports, on that fateful day, the father and daughter had just returned to their Lot 58 Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara home when they were attacked by armed men. Holding Latchman and his 19-year-old daughter at gunpoint, the alleged robbers took the duo into the upper flat of their house, where they demanded money.

After receiving a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, the men then shot the duo before escaping from the scene in a white Toyota Carina 212 motor car, which was parked some distance away. Neighbours reported hearing gunshots and rushed to the victims’ assistance. The father and daughter were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Post-mortem examinations conducted on the bodies revealed that the father was shot thrice, while his daughter received one fatal gunshot wound. A motor car used by the bandits that belonged to the dead businessman was found at Front Road, La Penitence, Georgetown. During a search of the vehicle, an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found.
Two of the accused murderers – Abrams and Sadloo – are known characters to the Police and the courts. Abrams was convicted in 2016 for two counts of robbery committed against America Street money changers Rayburn Fraser and Osaffo Ward. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the offence.
Meanwhile, Sadloo, who is said to be the alleged mastermind of the double murder, had a murder case discharged against him in 2012, but was later convicted in 2016 for narcotics trafficking. The convict made another court appearance in 2018, when he was charged with several armed robberies. He is currently before the court on charges for illegal possession of guns and ammunition.