A 23-year-old Police Constable attached to the Guyana Police Force was today remanded to prison for the murder of 37-year-old Estevao Costa Marques, Brazilian miner, who was shot in the head on August 11 at Puruni River Landing.
Robert Daniels of Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plea to the charge.
He was represented by Attorney-at-law, Patrice Henry, who requested that the particulars of the charge be reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The lawyer argued that the miner discharged a loaded firearm at the policeman who defended himself by returning fire.
The Chief Magistrate remanded the young policeman to prison and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for August 30.
A post-mortem examination found that the Brazilian miner was shot in the back of the head from a range of more than five feet, which could mean that he was running away at the time of the incident.
Reports indicate that the Police Constable admitted to shooting the miner and had initially refused to partake in an identification parade.
Police Headquarters had revealed that the Police Constable and a Corporal of the Kurupung Police Station abandoned their post for patrol duties.
They ended up at the Puruni Landing, Region Seven on the day in question and the Corporal remained in the boat while the armed Constable proceeded to the scene.
Shortly after, two explosions were heard and the miner was found lying on the ground a short distance away; he was picked up, placed in a boat and taken to the main landing.
Reports indicate that relatives of Marques witnessed the fatal shooting of the miner and they were brought down to police headquarters for questioning.
