Five persons have so far been held over the death of 35-year-old Rickford Barker whose battered body was discovered in a cemetery at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara last Saturday, while several others are being sought, Commander of `A’ Division Leroy Brumell said yesterday.
According to Brumell, the persons have admitted to “spanking” the man but a post-mortem examination scheduled for today will determine exactly how he died.
What was known, the commander said, was that the man was hit about his body, including his head with wood.
He said police officers were supposed to make some additional arrests yesterday but up to press time last evening this newspaper could not ascertain if that was done. The five in custody and the others who are being sought are residents of the Soesdyke area where Barker was found.
The police had said in a release that the 35-year-old Hyde Park, Timehri resident had a wound to the back of the head and abrasions about the body when he was discovered.
Reports reaching Stabroek News are that some time during last Friday night, residents caught Barker, who was recently released from prison, attempting to break into a shop in the area.
The man was then subjected to a merciless beating at the hands of a group of residents who after realizing that he was dead dumped the body in a nearby cemetery and covered it with a piece of board.
Barker was discovered the following morning around 10:10.
Charges will be laid against those in custody shortly.
