In the Berbice High Court, Winston McKenzie who is facing four counts of robbery under arms and a wounding with intent charge was granted $16,000 bail for each, following a bail petition yesterday before Justice James Bovell Drakes.
In the petition prepared by attorney-at-law Kim Kyte-John, it was stated that during the Preliminary Inquiry, the prisoner was initially granted bail in the sum of $75,000 each but the pretrial liberty was subsequently withdrawn.
The matter had been adjourned for the last three years as neither of the complainants attended court hearings.
However, on June 4, 2011, after being committed to stand trial at the Berbice Assizes, co-accused Wilfred Kyle and Robert Rollins moved to the High Court, where bail was granted in the sum of $80,000.
The document stated that the allegation arose from a single incident during the night of October 7, 2007, and no one identified the petitioner, as the sole evidence against him is an alleged caution statement which was obtained by unlawful force, fears and threats by members of the Guyana Police Force.
According to the particulars of the offences, on October 7, 2007 at Line Path, Corentyne, McKenzie allegedly discharged a loaded firearm at Harishchand Ketwaru with intent to commit murder; reportedly being armed with guns and knives he robbed Aaron Suknandan of a cell phone valued $7,000 and $35,000; he allegedly robbed Harishchand Ketwaru of $45,000 and a wallet valued $4,000, along with a gold chain valued $60,000; he allegedly robbed Jadeshwar Serran of a motor car key, a hire car licence, a wallet and cash totaling $291,000; and he allegedly robbed Rohan Dewnarayan of a driver’s licence, U.S. currency and a cellular phone, totaling $149,000 in value.
