Less than five months after she was charged with the capital offence over a shooting incident on Main Street, Ashanti Shultz was committed to stand trial in the High Court yesterday.
A calm looking Shultz stood in the dock as Magistrate Oneidge Walrond-Allicock stated that a prima facie case had been made out against her during the Preliminary Inquiry. When asked whether she had anything to say Shultz replied, “I reserve my defence for the High Court”.
After the magistrate indicated that Shultz will face a judge and jury in the High Court, her attorney Mark Waldron who appeared in association with attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, said there were issues that went further than whether a prima facie case had been made out. He stated that at its highest the prosecution’s case contradicts itself and that the credibility of the witnesses was in doubt.
But the magistrate pointed out that the PI was held to determine whether there was sufficient evidence against Shultz.
Magistrate Walrond-Allicock said she was not at liberty to determine the credibility of witnesses.
She said there was an account of an altercation in which the accused was involved and that there was also evidence submitted to the court that the accused was seen with a gun on the night in question.
She said while such evidence may be challenged, a prima facie case has been made out. She gave a commitment to have the depositions prepared in a timely manner so Shultz’s trial could be called at an early date in the High Court.
The 27-year-old Shultz, a broker, of 109 Eccles, East Bank Demerara was charged on September 16 with the murder of Kenrick Nero, a 58-year-old hospital porter.
It was reported that Shultz and other women were involved in an argument when she allegedly went to her car and took out the weapon.
She then allegedly fired the shots in a wild manner hitting Nero who died and two other men and missing her intended target.
Nero was said to be sitting next to a ticket booth close to the New Courtyard Restau-rant and Bar when he was hit.
