Trio to stand trial for Bourda cheese vendor murder

 George Paton
George Paton

Less than a week after a case was made out against three of the four men charged with the murder of Bourda Market vendor Troy Ramalho, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan committed them to stand trial in the High Court.

The three accused are Roy Sanford, of ‘A’ Field, Sophia; Akeem Morris, of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty; and George Paton, of Eccles Park, East Bank Demerara. It is alleged that the three men on August 15th, 2018, at Robb Street, Bourda, in the course or furtherance of a robbery, murdered Ramalho.

The Chief Magistrate yesterday asked Sanford if he wished to say anything in answer to the charge and after seeking guidance from his attorney, Dexter Todd, he stated that he wished to reserve his statement for the High Court.

Paton, who was unable to call his two witnesses, requested more time from the court to do so, however, this request was denied. He had previously given a statement to the court, while Morris declined to either make a statement or call a witness.

The Chief Magistrate committed the men to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes. They are expected to remain on remand until that time.

A fourth suspect, Nya John, is separately charged with the crime and is currently before another court.