The Kildonan, Berbice man who allegedly set his father’s house on fire with the 82-year-old man inside was on Wednesday slapped with a murder charge and remanded to prison.
Colin Ross, 52, appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on April 10, he murdered Rudolph Ross in the course of arson at Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
Murder accused: Colin Ross
With an emotionless face, Ross listened attentively as the murder charge was read by Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh. The farmer, who is also a father of two, was unrepresented.
Reports are that on April 10 about 03:00h, a villager noticed smoke emerging from Rudolph Ross’ house. As neighbours converged, they heard the elderly man screaming for help, but their efforts to save him proved futile.
The former Chief Executive Officer of the Bush Lot/Adventure Village Council perished in the fire as he was reportedly locked in a bedroom.
Investigators were able to obtain a statement from the dead man’s son, which reportedly stated that he was at home when the fire started, but fled the house after gathering important documents. This newspaper was told that the man reportedly informed Police that he did not remember that his father was in the house when he fled with the documents.
Fire investigators later found a bottle containing what appeared to be a flammable liquid at the scene.
Reports are the younger Ross had also omitted to tell investigators that when he fled the building, he used a bicycle and later hid it in a clump of bushes nearby before returning to the scene of the fire.
It had been reported that the dead man’s eldest brother claimed that there was a dispute over the property some time ago, but he was of the view that the issue was resolved. Reports are the now dead man and his son were involved in a heated argument hours before the fire.
Meanwhile, the matter has been transferred to the Whim Magistrate’s Court. The case will continue on May 8.
