The attempted murder charge against Curtis Vasconcellos and Jason Howard, committed on the accountant of Tower Suites, was on Tuesday withdrawn by the prosecution and two new charges instituted.
Vasconcellos and Howard were jointly charged with robbery under arms and attempted murder in relation to the Tower Suites heist, where the hotel’s accountant, was relieved of $2.9 million.
The charge of attempted murder, was withdrawn based on advice received by the Director of Public Prosecutions, as stated by the prosecution before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
In a bid to verify all matters, the prosecution mistakenly withdrew the attempted murder charge against Howard committed on Quacy Joseph on October 28, 2016, at Water Street.
This act was corrected when Howard reappeared before the Chief Magistrate and the charge reread to him.
The Chief Magistrate then read two additional charges to both Vasconcellos and Howard.
One of the charges stated that on December 14, 2016 at Main Street, Georgetown, the defendants unlawfully and maliciously discharged a loaded firearm at Baldeo Persaud.
On the said date and location it is further alleged that the duo unlawfully and maliciously wounded Persaud.
The duo denied both crimes.
According to the prosecutor the file is incomplete.
The matter was then adjourned to February 16.
Howard, who was also charged with robbing Roopnarine Budhu of $800,000 cash on October 1, 2016, in company of another and armed with a gun, will see that matter being heard by Magistrate Dylon Bess on February 13.
