Prison officers on manslaughter charge
Two assistant superintendents at the Georgetown Prisons were yesterday placed on $500,000 bail each after they were charged with the manslaughter of prisoner Edwin Niles.
Edwin Niles
The men, Kurt Corbin, 30, of N 27 George Avenue, Lamaha Springs, and Gladwin Samuels, 26, formerly of Bartica and of 89 Oronoque Street, Bourda, were charged with the unlawful killing of Niles. They were not required to plead to the charge.
Attorney-at-law Hukumchand in association with Kamini Parag represented the men.
Humkumchand said in his bail application that there is no known factor that points at the two accused not returning for their trial which is the basis on which bail is granted.
He said that because the two men are members of the “correctional services” they understand the principles of the court system and as such will be present for their trial.
Police Prosecutor Denise Griffith then stated that the prosecution was not opposing bail.
Kurt Corbin
When the matter was adjourned the men left the courtroom from where they had entered via its front door and not down the chute as other defendants do.
Attorney-at-law Raphael Trotman was present throughout the proceedings and told the court that he was watching the interest of the victim’s mother, Brenda Nurse, who is the Virtual Complainant (VC) in the matter.
Thirty-four-year-old Niles of Guyhoc Park succumbed to injuries he sustained after reportedly receiving a sound beating when he was found with a quantity of ammunition at the Camp Street prisons. He was reported to have had seven .22 rounds of ammunition in his possession after returning to the prison from a day of labour at Camp Ayanganna. He was hospitalized for nine days before he died. He was serving a three-year sentence for narcotics possession and would have been released sometime this month. A statement from the police had said that the man was admitted to the GPHC following reports that he had been beaten after he was found with the ammunition. According to a post-mortem report Niles died as a result of a blood clot in the lungs due to burns about the back and a fractured left arm.
Gladwin Samuels
Niles’ death has attracted much public comment as it relates to interrogation methods and the conduct of the disciplined services. It was thought that he was severely beaten as the prison officers were concerned about a possible bloody plot to break out of the Camp Street jail.
Corbin and Samuels are to return to court on October 14.
kurt corbin is not a person like that
that’s what i’m trying to let these ppl know. but they dont know him so they jus have a face to lay blames
This is one step towards justice for the niles family. Good luck on this case.
even if it’s not “Just”?
Ow! they should’nt have beaten him to kill him!!!Yes he was wrong to have the ammo!!!!
Yesir that is the reward of over using your authority. And i am totally disappointed at Kurt Corbin.and i hoppe this serve as an warning and an eye opener to all thoes in authority in different ways and at different level who over use their authority (Jail)
Finally no more cover ups. Jagdeo should demand Erskine’s resignation he really is an incompetent executive and needs to be replaced. Prisoners are human beings and have rights under the Constitution that should be protected despite the fact they may be a source of threat to Society.
peeper fineman was not a person like that either, but money would make
you do anything to survive in guyana, just look at the govt. of guyana they
always have a monetary reward to offer..
Kid gloves treatment from the start?
Maybee….
These two gentle guyss should be free and will be free..They were just doing their job and preventing another jailbreak thus saving theirs and other lives as well….Niles had bullets on his possesion….bullets for a gun already in the prison..enough proof that they are ready willing and able to kill to get out of prison.
So what happen to the rule of law that you keep harping about that does not exist in the US? Niles should hape payed the consequences under the laws of this land not to be ‘lynched’ by prison officers.
We are always going to be in horn locks because you only see things through a tunnel. You don’t cease to shock me by the things you say.
Here we go again Smith:::Its you who never ceased to amaze and shock me….yet again as so often as you do.. you are representing yet again another criminal…You are not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel you talked about..Got one single question for you::::Was Niles not a criminal….If your answer is yes….then case closed……Niles got exactly what he deserved……..So dont shock yourself…..These two officers should be given a gold medal for the just job they did……
Evileyes do you know what you are really saying ? You got the face to say that they were only doing their job by brutalizing that fellow.
Allison::::To answer your question:::Yea I have face>>>>A nice face too mind you:::
And I will repeat my face again and again and again…..Niles is a criminal and nothing but a criminal……Those innocent officer did a great job by saving the lives of many……Bullet+Gun=jail break…it means kill to get out……
You should get your facts before posting comments. Do you have the slightest idea what happened. Dont allow a hurting mom and the media to play tricks with your imagination. Those officers are very deligent and professional ranks but as always there must be a “scape-goat”. God Bless and Protect his Children.
justice sucks;