Teen committed to stand High Court trial for $440 killing

Seventeen-year-old Andrew Gittens, who allegedly murdered his cousin Leon Anthony Richie over a $440 loan to buy bread in January 2017, was committed to stand trial at the Demerara High Court by Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. He was represented by Attorney Ravindra Mohabir during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

Magistrate Liverpool at the conclusion of the PI ruled that the prosecution has made out a case against the accused. She informed the defendant and his attorney that it will be left for a 12-member jury to determine the accuracy of the evidence in the caution statement.
Gittens remained silent as he was not legally bound to make a statement or a plea at this stage. His plea will be made when the matter comes up in the High Court.
Ritchie, who was 17 at the time of his death, was killed at his Lot 20 L’Oratoire, Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara residence after the accused reportedly came up to him and demanded that he repay the money. Reports were that an argument ensued between the two over the $440 Ritchie had borrowed two weeks prior.
It was stated that after a scuffle, Gittens, who was only 16, allegedly stabbed his cousin to the chest. An injured Ritchie reportedly collapsed and upon realising what he had done, the alleged perpetrator raised an alarm and the injured teen was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
When interviewed back in January 2017, Gittens’ father said his son lived at his grandparent’s house along with his other cousins. Their grandfather, who had supervised the boys, passed away in 2016 and ever since then, the young family members had lived alone.