The owner of the Tourist Villa Hotel in Subryanville, Georgetown was on Monday charged for the murder of his neighbour Jason De Florimonte on August 4, 2018 and was remanded to prison.
Erwin Bacchus, of Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, was initially charged with manslaughter when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was released on $1.5M.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that the charge be withdrawn and that Bacchus be charged with murder.
As a result, Bacchus Monday appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and was not required to plea to the charge. The businessman was represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes who claimed that the DPP’s decision amounted to abuse of power.
The defence claimed that on the day in question there was an altercation in the hotel parking lot between the hotel’s handyman and De Florimonte after the handyman intervened in an argument between De Florimonte and his girlfriend.
Hughes told the court that De Florimonte armed himself with a knife and rolling pin and attacked the handyman, who ran inside the hotel. There, Bacchus drew his licenced firearm and fired two warning shots to the ground.
“The deceased [De Florimonte] told my client that he didn’t care and continued chasing the handyman,” Attorney Hughes argued before the Magistrate.
During the ordeal, it is alleged that De Florimonte attempted to stab Bacchus with the knife when he (Bacchus) shot him multiple times.
Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers said that 20 witnesses is to be called.
The case is adjourned to September 10 for report and October 3 for the commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry.
