The Coroner’s Inquest into the 19-year-old murder of Monica Reece continued on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where a witness said that police embellished the statement he gave to them.
The witness—his identity is not being reported in keeping with directions by Coroner Hazel Octive-Hamilton to ensure his security—testified about knowing only of a white vehicle which was owned by the people with whom he worked as a security guard back in 1993, the year Reece was murdered. He added that he knew nothing of a black 4X4, in which she was reportedly seen.
He also testified that the statement that police took from him, contained things which he never told them. He made this disclosure after the Coroner read the statement to him.
The now 50-year-old man added that he could not read and write. The inquest continues on July 30.
On April 9, 1993 Reece’s body was dumped on Main Street. The lengthy period has not diminished the public’s interest in the case, which has long grown cold despite the lofty promises by the police that the case would be solved.
A Coroner’s Inquest is conducted by a Magistrate and heard by a jury with a minimum of three persons and no more than five persons. It is an inquiry into an unnatural death.
In the inquest, the Coroner reviews statements of the witnesses which are also heard by the jury, who at the end of the inquest and deliberations determine who is criminally liable for the death of the deceased.
Among the determinations of the inquest are: when the killing occurred, where, what caused the death and then the jury’s decision of who and if anyone is criminally liable for the death.
If from the inquest anyone is found to be criminally liable, the file is sent within seven days to the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
After that, there will be a determination as to who is to be charged by the police for the murder for a subsequent commencement of a preliminary inquiry.
