episode sparks emotional outbursts by relatives
With tear-filled eyes, 19-year-old minibus conductor, James Hyles stood in the dock of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, yesterday, accused of murdering 11 persons, including five children, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, last month.
Hyles’s appearance in court sparked several emotional outbursts by his relatives, in and outside the courtroom. Even Hyles burst into tears a few times before, during and after the charges were read to him.
The police are alleging that Hyles murdered Shazam Mohamed, Shalim Baksh, Raywattie Ramsingh, Dhanrajie Ramsingh, Seecharran Rooplall, Mohandai Gurdat, Seegopaul Harilall, Seegobin Harilall, Clarence Thomas, Vanessa Thomas and Ron Thomas on January 26, last, at Lusignan. Yesterday’s court scene was drama-filled with relatives wailing and even interrupting the session.
Hyles, of Lot 70 Friendship, East Coast Demerara, had been sobbing intermittently since he entered the court. His relatives, one of whom had to be restrained, began wailing in the courtyard. Subsequently, as Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle was reading the charges, Hyles’s mother and other relatives screamed and some even collapsed causing a brief interruption in the proceedings.
The Magistrate came off of the bench as ranks tried to get the situation under control. At that point, Hyles was taken out of the dock and returned to the lockups. One of his relatives then ran out of the courtyard shouting hysterically.
After the relatives were calmed, Hyles was taken back into the courtroom and the indictable charges were read. When Hyles left the courtroom his relatives were unable to contain their emotions.
Standing outside the courtyard yesterday and being supported by other relatives, Hyles’s mother said that her son was at home with her asleep on the fateful night of January 26, when the 11 persons were slaughtered. Hyles’s relatives bemoaned what they said was his wrongful arrest. According to them, Hyles was arrested on Monday afternoon at his aunt’s home. They added that a 15-year-old girl and an elderly woman were also arrested.
Shortly after the charges were read, Hyles was whisked away accompanied by heavily armed ranks. There was also intense security at the court during his appearance. The teen began crying as he was led from the court lockups to the prison van. His departure prompted yet another emotional outburst by his relatives who were standing outside of the courtyard.
On January 26, a barrage of heavily armed gunmen entered the East Coast Demerara village of Lusignan and slaughtered 11 persons, including five children, some of whom were asleep. This wanton act was followed by a similar incident on Bartica on Sunday night last when 12 persons, including three police ranks, were shot and killed by gunmen at the former mining community. Several other persons were also injured.
Reports state that Hyles was charged in connection with the Lusignan massacre after an accused in another East Coast Demerara murder implicated him.
Hyles was clad in a green and white jersey, baggy faded blue jeans and a pair of slippers during his appearance in court. His matter has been transferred to the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court for February 28.
With tear-filled eyes, 19-year-old minibus conductor, James Hyles stood in the dock of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, yesterday, accused of murdering 11 persons, including five children, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, last month.
Hyles’s appearance in court sparked several emotional outbursts by his relatives, in and outside the courtroom. Even Hyles burst into tears a few times before, during and after the charges were read to him.
The police are alleging that Hyles murdered Shazam Mohamed, Shalim Baksh, Raywattie Ramsingh, Dhanrajie Ramsingh, Seecharran Rooplall, Mohandai Gurdat, Seegopaul Harilall, Seegobin Harilall, Clarence Thomas, Vanessa Thomas and Ron Thomas on January 26, last, at Lusignan. Yesterday’s court scene was drama-filled with relatives wailing and even interrupting the session.
Hyles, of Lot 70 Friendship, East Coast Demerara, had been sobbing intermittently since he entered the court. His relatives, one of whom had to be restrained, began wailing in the courtyard. Subsequently, as Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle was reading the charges, Hyles’s mother and other relatives screamed and some even collapsed causing a brief interruption in the proceedings.
The Magistrate came off of the bench as ranks tried to get the situation under control. At that point, Hyles was taken out of the dock and returned to the lockups. One of his relatives then ran out of the courtyard shouting hysterically.
After the relatives were calmed, Hyles was taken back into the courtroom and the indictable charges were read. When Hyles left the courtroom his relatives were unable to contain their emotions.
Standing outside the courtyard yesterday and being supported by other relatives, Hyles’s mother said that her son was at home with her asleep on the fateful night of January 26, when the 11 persons were slaughtered. Hyles’s relatives bemoaned what they said was his wrongful arrest. According to them, Hyles was arrested on Monday afternoon at his aunt’s home. They added that a 15-year-old girl and an elderly woman were also arrested.
Shortly after the charges were read, Hyles was whisked away accompanied by heavily armed ranks. There was also intense security at the court during his appearance. The teen began crying as he was led from the court lockups to the prison van. His departure prompted yet another emotional outburst by his relatives who were standing outside of the courtyard.
On January 26, a barrage of heavily armed gunmen entered the East Coast Demerara village of Lusignan and slaughtered 11 persons, including five children, some of whom were asleep. This wanton act was followed by a similar incident on Bartica on Sunday night last when 12 persons, including three police ranks, were shot and killed by gunmen at the former mining community. Several other persons were also injured.
Reports state that Hyles was charged in connection with the Lusignan massacre after an accused in another East Coast Demerara murder implicated him.
Hyles was clad in a green and white jersey, baggy faded blue jeans and a pair of slippers during his appearance in court. His matter has been transferred to the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court for February 28.
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