Mark Anthony Bartley, accused of knifing another man to death over a box of food in April of this year, was yesterday committed to stand trial for manslaughter.
Bartley, who gave his address as Lot 38 Back Street, Houston, was charged in May with the murder of Gordon Ross outside of the White Castle Fish Shop at John and Hadfield streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.
At the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry into the charge, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday committed Bartley to stand trial in the High Court at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes. He was also granted his release on bail.
After the prosecution closed its case, the chief magistrate told Bartley that a prima facie case had been made out against him for manslaughter as opposed to murder.
She further told Bartley that it was now time for him to prove his case and call forth witnesses who could testify on his behalf. However, Bartley declined the option of calling anyone to testify for him.
The chief magistrate then related to the accused that a sufficient case had been made out against him and therefore he would be committed to face a trial. She also instructed the prosecution to reserve a special witness to be recalled at the High Court.
Bartley, who had continuously asked the court for bail during the preliminary inquiry, was finally granted bail in the sum of $200,000 yesterday by the magistrate.
Bartley was, however, granted his release with conditions. The prosecutor asked that the accused report to the Officer-in-Charge of the Rumiveldt Police Station every Friday until the High Court trial.
The magistrate then told Bartley that if he breached the conditions, he will be arrested and taken back to jail.
Ross, 26, said to be a substance abuser with no fixed place of abode, was found with stab wounds about his body.
He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public-spirited citizens but succumbed while receiving medical treatment.
Police later said the fatal altercation was the result of a fight over food between Bartley and Ross. Bartley was later identified through CCTV footage.
