Magistrate to go over submissions in treason case

Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine Beharry yesterday adjourned the proceedings in the treason case until Friday to look over the written statements submitted by the prosecution in response to defence Attorney Nigel Hughes’ written submissions made earlier.

Special Prosecutor Vic Puran submitted that there is no need to make an application to amend the particulars of the charge, but out of an abundance of caution he made an application to have the particulars of the charge amended and added that with the amendment there will be no need to add any further evidence.

The magistrate, before the adjournment, stated that she will go over the submissions made by the prosecution and defence but was unsure whether the next adjournment date will be for ruling. However, she added that if any issue arose in the submissions it will be addressed by the relevant party on Friday

Accused of treason are Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major Bruce Munroe, his wife Carol Ann and ex-soldier Leonard Wharton. The charge states that between December 1, 2009 and December 16, 2010, at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, they plotted to level war within Guyana to force the president out of office, in order to compel the Government of Guyana to change its measures.