The Regent St gas station bombing: Court delays paper committal as 2 accused now secure lawyers

The case stemming from the deadly explosion at a Regent Street, Georgetown gas station has been delayed after two of the accused recently obtained attorneys who asked for time to prepare their defence.

The matter was called before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, when paper committal proceedings were scheduled to begin for four of the seven individuals charged in connection with the October 26, 2025, incident.
The hearing was paused after attorney Shellon Boyce of the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic entered an appearance on behalf of Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo. Boyce told the court she had been provided with the prosecution’s bundle of statements but needed additional time to review the material and speak with her client before the proceedings could move forward.
Another defence attorney, Melvin Duke, also appeared in court representing Alexander Bettencourt. Duke similarly requested time to examine the disclosure and consult with his client. Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty granted both requests, resulting in the proceedings being postponed. The case has now been set to continue on March 23.
Poedemo and Bettencourt had previously appeared before the court without legal representation and had asked for time to contact their families so that they could obtain a lawyer. When they appeared in court on Tuesday, they were appointed lawyers by the state.
Meanwhile, the court will determine, during the paper committal phase, whether the prosecution’s written evidence establishes a prima facie case and whether the matter should be transferred to the High Court for trial.
The four accused currently appearing before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts are Poedemo, Bettencourt, Johnny Boodram and Krysyal La Cruz. Investigators have alleged that Poedemo was the mastermind behind the attack, which authorities say was a coordinated act.
Three other individuals, Wayne Correia, Ramesh Pramdeo, and Jennifer Rodriguez, are also charged but are being dealt with in separate magisterial districts.
The charges stem from an explosion that rocked the Mobil gas station on Regent Street on the evening of October 26, 2025. The blast caused extensive damage to the facility and nearby vehicles and sent shockwaves throughout the capital.
The explosion resulted in the death of six-year-old Sorya Bourne, who was at the location at the time of the blast. Several other persons were also injured and treated at the hospital for varying injuries.
Following the incident, Police launched a major investigation and later determined that the explosion was the result of a deliberate act, leading to terrorism charges being laid against seven persons, both Guyanese and Venezuelan nationals.
Investigators relied on CCTV footage, forensic analysis, and other intelligence as part of the probe, which authorities have described as complex and far-reaching.