A 39-year-old farmer, who allegedly hit his drinking partner in order to separate him from his wife during a row, was remanded to prison for the offence yesterday when he appeared in a city court on an attempted murder charge.
Michael Francis was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on November 28th at Rukumutu village, Karasabai, South Pakaraima, he attempted to murder Raphael Matthews.
The charge was read by Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Five
According to Francis’ lawyer, the two men were drinking in the village and Matthews started behaving in a disorderly manner. His wife attempted to restrain him but her actions resulted in a scuffle between the two. Seeing that, Francis armed himself with a hoe and tried to separate the couple. Matthews then tried to take the hoe from Francis, who held on to the weapon and a scuffle between the two men ensued, which resulted with hoe accidently hitting Matthews. The lawyer added that Matthews did not seek medical attention until five days later, when the wound became infected.
However, according to Prosecutor Seon Blackman, Matthews and his wife were arguing when the Francis armed himself with a hoe and dealt Matthews a blow, causing him to suffer injuries. He objected to bail being granted.
Francis was subsequently remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned until December 16th, 2019, when it is to be heard at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.
