Man charged with killing cousin with arrow at Cuyuni mining camp

David Smith
David Smith

A man was charged yesterday with killing his cousin by fatally stabbing him with an arrow during an argument at a Cuyuni River mining camp.

The charge against David Smith, 31, alleges that on March 22nd, at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, he murdered Dave Boyal.

Smith was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that an argument ensued between Smith and Boyal at their mining camp, after which Smith became annoyed and armed himself with an arrow. He then allegedly stabbed Boyal once with the arrow to his abdomen.

Smith was subsequently remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and the matter was adjourned until April 10th, when it is to be called at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

It was previously reported that Boyal, 19, and other workers were in their hammocks when Smith, who appeared to be intoxicated, entered the camp and began to cut down the hammocks. Boyal intervened and attempted to persuade him to stop but was stabbed with the arrow during the argument. He was taken to the Bartica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.