After almost a decade on the run, a 35-year-old mason of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was on Thursday morning arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on the capital offence of murder.
The charge stated that Sylvester Vanderhyden on November 5, 2008 at Agricola, Greater Georgetown, unlawfully murdered Melissa Angela Payne. According to reports, the 27-year-old woman was fatally shot after she attempted to put up a fight with gunmen who carried out a brazen attack on her and a male companion on the fateful day, around 08:30h as the couple were making their way to Georgetown. Based on reports reaching this publication, the pair had encountered mechanical problems and had exited the canter truck in which they were travelling when they were accosted by several armed men, who relieved them of a bag containing some $110,000 cash along with a quantity of jewellery.
Deceased: Melissa Payne
Payne was reluctant to hand over her handbag, and so was shot by one of the perpetrators, who thereafter made good their escape in fear. Payne’s companion, who was named as David Fraser, then reported flagging down a motorist who transported the bleeding woman to the hospital where she succumbed.
News of the woman’s death sent shockwaves throughout Den Amstel on the West Coast of Demerara, the home community of Payne. Fraser was hospitalised after he suffered a heart attack when the gruesome reality finally hit him.
A few days after the incident, several men were arrested and Jermine Savory of Agricola was charged with the murder of Payne after he allegedly cracked under pressure and admitted to his involvement in the crime. Savory, however, denied ever firing the lethal shot at the woman.
The accused, also known as “Ja Ja”, was jointly charged with several other high-profile inmates, including two suspects in the Bartica and Lusignan Massacres, in early 2009 for attempting a daring jailbreak on the dawn of December 28, 2008 at the Camp Street penitentiary.
The criminals’ plan was thwarted by the quick response of prison authorities, along with the Joint Services, ultimately leading to the inmates’ apprehension.
The circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of Vanderhyden remain sketchy, and he was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him by the Chief Magistrate. The unrepresented man was remanded to prison until May 10 when the matter is expected to continue at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
