GDF Captain further remanded; undergoing psychiatric evaluation

The police investigation into the murder of Reona Payne, who was gunned down last month, allegedly by her reputed husband in full view of the public at First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown is still incomplete.

Orwain Sandy, 36, a Captain of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), is currently on remand for the indictable offence which alleged that on March 31, he murdered Payne.

When the matter was recalled before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court today, Prosecutor, Shawn Gonsalves revealed that the police investigation into the matter is still ongoing and several statements from the file are outstanding.

Gonzales further added that Sandy, who was a personal aide to the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, was also seen twice by a psychiatrist, Dr Bhiro Harry while on remand.

However, the prosecutor explained the doctor still needs more time with the defendant.

Magistrate Latchman granted the request and adjourned the matter to May 2 for report. Attorney-at-law, James Bond had requested that Sandy is examined by an independent psychiatrist.

Bond had said also that his client has been a psychiatric patient for the past two years.

A post-mortem report 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.