Tearful GDF Captain remanded, to undergo psychiatric evaluation

Six days after he gunned down his reputed wife in full view of the public at First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, Captain of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Orwain Sandy appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court today, charged with the indictable offence of murder.

He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman in tears and was not required to plea to the charge, which alleged that on March 31, he murdered Reona Payne. Sandy, 36, who was a personal aide to the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, was remanded to prison until April 24.

Attorney-at-law, James Bond requested that Sandy is examined by an independent psychiatrist, who will be provided by the defence; Bond said that his client has been a psychiatric patient for the past two years.

Magistrate Latchman granted the request and Sandy is expected to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

From the time Sandy appeared at the court this morning, he was in tears.

News Room had reported that on the day in question, he and Payne were observed by residents arguing in his car. It is alleged that Payne took the man’s service revolver and threw it out of the car after which she exited the vehicle.

However, it is alleged that Sandy exited the car, picked up the gun and shot at a fleeing Payne. After she fell to the ground, it is alleged that he stood over her and emptied the gun into her body.

Sandy then drove himself to the Ruimveldt Police Station where he surrendered and handed over the murder weapon. He has been in custody since.

A post-mortem report subsequently revealed that Payne, a mother of three from a previous marriage, was shot approximately 14 times – 13 times to the chest and once to the head.

Although both Sandy and Payne were married to other people, they were living together for about five years at the Captain’s Providence, East Bank Demerara home.

Following the incident, the GDF immediately interdicted him and launched a Board of Inquiry.

Sandy was awarded the best graduating student of the Officer’s Course when he completed it a few years ago.  Two years ago, he graduated from the University of Guyana with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and was recently appointed as the Aide de Camp to the GDF Chief of Staff.