GDF Captain to stand High Court trial for alleged murder of wife

Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Captain, Orwain Sandy has been committed to the High Court for the alleged murder of his reputed wife, Reona Payne.

Sandy,36 is currently on remand for the indictable offence which alleged that on March 31, at First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown he murdered Payne.

Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, following the evidence of the final witness today, committed Sandy to stand trial before a Judge and Jury at the High Court.

Sandy appeared stoic and remained silent as the Magistrate handed down her ruling. The matter was prosecuted by Corporal Shawn Gonsalves and the defendant was represented by James Bond.

In May, Psychiatrist, Dr Bhrio Harry deemed Sandy mentally fit to stand trial for the alleged murder.  During Sandy’s first court appearance on April 6, Bond had requested that his client is examined by an independent psychiatrist and revealed that he has been a psychiatric patient for the past two years.

News Room had reported that on the day in question, Sandy 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.

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 Sandy and launched a Board of Inquiry.