A man, who was evading Police for the past 21 years for the murder of his wife, was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday.
Philbert Thomas, 46, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on September 5, 1998 at Cubacalli, Waini, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) he murdered Viola Thomas.
Philbert Thomas
According to Police information, Thomas allegedly murdered his then 23-year-old wife, a resident of Cubacalli, Waini, North West District, during a fun day in 1998.
It was reported that Thomas stabbed his wife several times about her body, and then made good his escape.
However, it was only recently that the accused was arrested, charged and remanded to prison for inflicting grievous bodily harm to his ex-lover and her companion.
It was after him being charged that the mother of the late Viola Thomas saw his photograph in the newspaper as Philbert Thomas. For that charge, he gave his name as Gilbert Thomas but the woman nonetheless went to the Police. The dead woman’s mother went to the Acquero Police Station and made a report stating he was the man who is wanted in connection with the murder of her daughter.
Following the killing in 1998, the Director of Public Prosecution had recommended that the suspect be charged with murder, as the fugitive was in hiding. The matter was heard at the Acquero Magistrates’ Court, Region One, where several witnesses testified against Thomas, who was charged in absentia.
Eight years later, the matter was recalled at the same court and was adjourned with no appointed date for resumption (sine die).
Following his identification recently, a court order was filed and Philbert Thomas, called Gilbert Thomas, was identified by the murder victim’s mother and he subsequently confessed to the crime.
The accused was remanded to prison and the case will continue on September 9, when he will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for reassignment.
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 which led to a scuffle. Thomas allegedly whipped out a knife and dealt Gobin one stab to her breast. 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.
