Accused in Houston fatal accident testifies

A West Ruimveldt resident who is charged with driving in a dangerous manner and ending the life of another man, was on Wednesday called upon to lead his defence.

Andrew Aulder, 58, of Lot 616, West Ruimveldt, gave unsworn evidence to the court, explaining his side of the story, following Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan’s ruling that a prima facie case had been made out against him, after hearing no-case submissions from his attorney Patrice Henry.

Aulder, on March 6th, 2016, at the Houston Access Road, allegedly drove his vehicle in a dangerous manner, causing the death of Dinesh Bissoon.

The accused testified that on the day in question, while he was travelling along the Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara, heading towards the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri to pick up his sister, he saw Bissoon on his motorbike. Aulder explained that Bissoon made a sudden U-turn in front of his car, before he collided with the front of the car on the driver’s side.

Andrew Aulder

The defendant said that he quickly stopped his car and got out to see the now deceased man lying on the road.

Aulder told the court that the man was still alive at the time of the incident, and it was only a few weeks later he was informed that Bissoon had died.

Aulder stressed that after the incident the police who arrived never took a picture of the scene.  The defendant said that he was taken into police custody and was held for 72 hours, after which he was granted $40,000 station bail.

He further told the court that he was later brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he was charged with causing the death of Bissoon.

After Aulder’s testimony, his lawyer Henry, told the court that the defence had closed its case and would need a short date for submissions.

Chief Magistrate McLennan adjourned the matter until January 24 for the defence closing.