After being incarcerated for five years and enduring four Preliminary Inquiries, murder accused Allan Eric Joe walked out of the New Amsterdam Courtroom a free man yesterday after his case was discharged by Magistrate Geeta Chandan Persid.
Joe faced the capital offence following the slaying of Guyana Defence Force soldier Errol John at Sandvoort Village, West Canje on October 11, 2004, just days before the slain man was expected to join a contingent assigned to the then hurricane ravaged island of Grenada in order to assist in its rebuilding.
During the five-year period the case was conducted by then Magistrate Kim Kyte John, who had committed the accused to stand trial at the Berbice Assizes.
However the depositions along with exhibits and five other files went missing while in the Georgetown Magistrate’s District where the documents were taken to be typed.
A source explained then that the office of the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court was without a functioning typewriter or computer and so the written evidence of several witnesses was taken to Georgetown to be prepared prior to transferring it to the Berbice Assizes for the hearing.
After the missing depositions were not recovered, another hearing commenced before Magistrate Krishndat Persaud who on completion discharged the case but the accused was rearrested and charged again.
Another preliminary trial commenced before Magistrate Chandra Sohan who also discharged the defendant.
Joe was subsequently rearrested and was placed before Magistrate Chandan–Persid who also ruled in favour of the defendant.
