Two months after Tactical Services Unit (TSU) rank Mark George was shot in the back by Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys, while on duty on Woolford Avenue, the Direc-tor of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that no charges be laid against the judicial officer.
The file was sent to the DPP for advice on possible charges weeks ago and when questioned yesterday about the status of that part of the case, Police Commissioner (ag) Henry Greene informed the media that he had just gotten word from Crime Chief Seelall Persaud that it has been recommended that there be no charges.
Greene was however quick to point out that he had not yet seen the file.
Asked if he was particularly concerned about that given the fact that a young policeman was injured, he stressed that he has to see what the DPP has written in the file before adding that he has to “see the whole concept in which the DPP made her decision”.
Questioned further on reports of a financial settlement in the case, the Commissioner pointed out that he was unaware of such a deal and that the file has nothing about a settlement being collected.
Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys
Following the shooting of George, many had raised concerns about the possibility of the matter dissolving. George’s relatives had told this newspaper that they were not concentrating on the investigation and what should happen to the magistrate but rather George’s recovery and discharge from the Georgetown Hospital.
Contacted last night on this latest development, his brother Alwin told Stabroek News that he has “thrown the incident behind my back. Once he is out of hospital, everything else is up to him”.
The man said that it is now up to his brother to make a decision in relation to the police and charges.
After several weeks of hospitalization, George was discharged from the hospital. He told this newspaper via telephone last evening that he is much better.
When told about the DPP’s decision, the man said that “I don put this matter behind my back”.
When asked about the reports of compensation being paid, George said “I am ok… I don’t like being a spectacle”.
On June 26, the rank and his colleagues were on patrol on Woolford Avenue when they noticed a vehicle with tinted windows parked on the roadway. The officers made checks and an argument ensued between them and the driver, who was later identified as Magistrate Gilhuys. It was at this point that the magistrate reportedly opened fire on the ranks, hitting George in the back. The bullet exited through his abdomen and in the process caused some internal damage.
The magistrate subsequently made a report at the Brickdam Police Station but he refused to hand over his weapon. However, he parked his vehicle which had about six bullet holes, in the station compound. The magistrate then appeared at the station the following day accompanied by his attorney Nigel Hughes, and after spending several hours, was released on self bail. He also lodged his weapon at the station.
Following the shooting, the magistrate had said that he was first shot at and that he returned fire.
Shortly after the shooting, the Magistrate proceeded on annual leave and has not returned to the bench.
Other magistrates are now handling his cases in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court as well as in the court in Linden.
I have never seen such nonsense before,it clearly tells me that justice is only for the rich,if was a poor man god help him,why didn’t the police returned fire after they were fired upon,especially when an officer is shot in the line of duty.
THE DPP decision is correct. the magistrate privacy was intruded by people he was not sure of their identity. he is a holder of the law. and for your information read before writing because if he was not fired upon then you tell me how his car become bullet ridded when he park it at the station.
the magistrate privacy is in his home not on the PUBLIC ROAD
……. on reflection now from the reports,, unfolding ,, it seems to me ,,,,, that since it was established that the gang of “FREEDOM FIGHTERS” was only 3 in #,, and that they were somehow cornered ,, by men trained in the use of arms ,, by both the police and the army with their military skills ,, these men could have been made to surrender ,, now that they have been silenced ,, we will never know the real truth of who were/are the real motivators of this sad saga ! once cornered in a building furnished or not ,, the forces should have waited them out ,, no matter how long it took ,, food and water for working families in Gy now is a burden to many to provide for their families ,,,,, is there any out there who feel like i do that they were meticulously slienced to protect ” their “,, commander – in – chief ????????…..
I feel so too
for your head they were freedom fighters, but for your heart and soul and of all law abiding guyanese they are gangsters, criminals, dangerous elements and worst that dirt, so you tell me how can a civiliased and educated officers of the JS negociate with a few illiterate criminals.death for them was the only way out.even fineman mother and sister say in an earlier interveiw they tried to persaude them from criminal activities but to no progress
This is beyond reason, an Officer of the Law is shot in the back whilst on duty and the authorities rule that no charges are to laid againt the perpetrator who happens to be a Magistrate of the Courts, where is the Rule Of Law?
More importantly the entry wound was in the back and not the front of the torso.
GROSS INJUSTICE, ONLY IN MY BEUTIFUL GUYANA
Until the Philosophy which holds one race/class inferior to another, until the basic human rights are equally guarantee to all without regards to race, class or political affiliation, until there are no longer first class and second class citizens in this nation, until the perception of corruption and injustice cease to dominate and direct the actions of the masses there will be no rest, there will be no peace, there will be no letting up of emerging criminal elements with gruesome motives and untamed ruthlessness. There will be no comfort and console for the innocent and diligent.
we have come a far way, mind you. But as the folk song goes, “One more river to cross”
it is a sad day for the injured cop and his family although i had a strong feeling that such recommendation would have been coming from the DPP.I wonder what the DPP had to say about the expired licence.
I am neither surprised or disappointed. This – sadly is what it is in Guyana today the rules of the game vary according to the players. We can only hope for the day when there would only be ONE set of rules.
I often in this blog refer to the ideology in place in the country. I have no idea what it is but I maintain that without an ideology in place that provides a level playing field these are some of the things that will continue to happen unashamedly!
To the wounded PO: May you recover and be able to get on with your life and be a productive citizen! You have demonstrated maturity and class by refusing to be dragged into any media spotlighted rhetoric on the issue. Good Luck!!
The officer clearly is not pursuing the matter, so back off with all the negatives.
……………………you are wrong………………..a country must set standards…….the Regional Minister did the same thing…………..and matters like this the people should take it to the CCJ……………..this bell I hear it………………
Ok, so Mr. Gilhuys was parked in a dark street and shot a police officer in the back and gets off free??! Something is terribly wrong there.
I think this is a sensible decision. The DPP was correct on this one. Those of you who think it was not correct were not following the story. Mr. Gilhuys had placed a police in lock up just before this incident. He had been getting on police officers for not showing up for cases which had to be postponed due to their negligence, and evidence being misplaced for cases which had been brought before him. Knowing the situation with police and crime in Guyana, he had reason to be on the defensive. I would have been surprised if he was charged. He needs to get back to the bench ASAP where he can continue his work.
Mack? does it not cause you to think as to why, given your scenario, the
magistrate would find himself parked in A DARK STREET?
IF YOU ARE PARKED IN A DARK STREET, I MEAN YOU YOURSELF,
would you throw caution to the winds given the prevailing crime
situation, and have your outside vision submerged?
Man;;;THINK…THINK…THINK !!