Magistrate Alisha George yesterday granted the prosecution a month-long adjournment to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how to proceed in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder charge against the five accused in the killing of Better Hope moneychanger Aaron Latchman and his daughter, Arian Latchman, following the recent escape of one of the men.
During yesterday’s hearing at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, the magistrate said because the five men are jointly charged with Mark Rufino, who recently escaped from the Lusignan Prison, she could not proceed with the matter under the current circumstance.
The prosecution then explained that it would require a month to seek advice from the DPP on how to proceed with the matter, considering that Rufino hasn’t been recaptured. Additionally, the prosecutor said that the time would allow for authorities to possibly recapture the escapee.
Magistrate George then said that the time would be granted and set the next date for January 29th, 2021.
Rufino, 25, a labourer, of Parika is currently on the run after escaping from the Lusignan Prison in October. He is charged alongside Paul Chan, 37, a conductor, of Sophia; Troy Abrams, a vendor, of Agricola; Lloyd Sadloo, 37, of Mocha; and Sean Thomas, 41, an electrician, of Kitty. It is alleged that on July 4th, 2019, at Robert Street, Better Hope, they murdered the Latchmans in the course or furtherance of a robbery.
Police said the victims arrived at their home in a car and as they exited the vehicle they were confronted by the men and during a struggle, the perpetrators shot the victims multiple times and escaped with a bag containing cash. The victims were then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.
