‘Biscuit’ appears to be recovering

Murder accused David Leander also known as ‘Biscuit’ and David Zammett who was on Thursday rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after reportedly being poisoned, appears to be recovering.

A relative of the man told Stabroek News yesterday that though he is still in a serious condition, he seems to be doing better.

When asked if there was any certainty as to what exactly happened to Zammett, the relative said she was not in a position to say.

“He seem to be coming around bit by bit,” the relative who requested anonymity said, adding “I ain’t in a position to say what it is that really happen to him. Ah guess by now everybody hearing de same thing and saying dey own thing suh I can’t say.”

When he was admitted on Thursday, Leander was taking oxygen and relatives said that he was fighting for his life. When this newspaper visited his bedside yesterday however, Leander was free of the oxygen mask.

However, he was still apparently unable to speak as he continuously made only groaning sounds despite being begged by his relatives to speak.

Zammett was also still turning from side to side, appearing to be in unbearable pain.
He was still handcuffed to his bed and under heavy police guard.

Efforts by this newspaper to solicit a comment on the issue from Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Director of Prisons Dale Erskine proved futile.

However, on Thursday, Rohee had told Stabroek News in a telephone interview that he was aware of Leander being taken to the hospital to have several tests conducted. Rohee said he did not know of any suspected poisoning. “I cannot comment on any suspected poisoning because I don’t know of that. I am still waiting the results of the tests,” he had said. “Beyond that I cannot say anything,” he added.

Leander of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) became known to the public when on November 8, 2007 he was charged with the murders of Satyadeow ‘Sash’ Sawh, his brother Rajpat Sawh, his sister Phulmattie Persaud and his security guard Curtis Robinson on April 22 at La Bonne Intention (LBI), ECD.

Magistrate Yohhannseh Cave on Monday ruled an oral statement purportedly made by Leander inadmissible in the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murders.

Leander was captured during a joint services operation in Buxton that resulted in the deaths of Noel ‘Baby’ James who had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for larceny and Orlando Andrews called ‘Bullet’ or ‘Jeffrey’ of Buxton who was wanted in connection with a number of murders.

When Leander first appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, he had visible injuries about his body and could hardly walk. His attorney had said that he was tortured by police while in custody. He was later admitted to the Georgetown Hospital following an order by Justice Jainarayan Singh Jr. These allegations were again presented before Magistrate Cave when the PI commenced at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

According to hospital sources, Leander was admitted at approximately 9:15 am on Thursday frothing at his mouth and complaining of feeling severely unwell.