A teenage murder accused on Wednesday made an appearance at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court after he was charged for killing Unity Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) resident, James Stewart, whose body was discovered along the roadside near his WBD home.
The murder accused being led away by a Police Officer
Appearing before Magistrate Christel Lambert, the teenager, [name withheld] was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which stated that on July 17, he murdered James Stewart.
This charge follows the teen’s alleged confession on Sunday that he committed the act. During Wednesday’s arraignment, the Prosecution stated that it is ready; the Preliminary Inquiry and its 20 witnesses are ready to testify.
Meanwhile, Defence Counsel Melvin Duke, told the court that there were gross violations of laws committed, as the defendant was held in Police custody for over 84 hours and was not afforded the privilege of an attorney.
Magistrate Lambert noted these claims. The case was transferred to the Wales Magistrate’s Court where the teen will make his next appearance on September 9.
After the arraignment, eldest sister of the dead man, Camel Stewart explained that her brother was often beaten in his periods of intoxication. She along with her other relatives stated that justice must be served.
Meanwhile, according to reports, the youth allegedly told Police in his confession, that Stewart had knocked him off his bike, causing him to fall to the ground. He said he went to a friend’s home, borrowed a hammer and returned to where he had last seen Stewart. It was then that he reportedly struck the man once to the head with the hammer. Stewart’s post-mortem report revealed that the he died from haemorrhaging and multiple injuries to the head.
