DPP files appeal against Best; asks court to set aside Magistrate’s decision

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack has filed an appeal against the decision of City Magistrate, Rondel Weever, to dismiss the charge of causing death by dangerous driving against Former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Rear Admiral (rtd), Gary Best.

The magistrate upheld a no-case submission made by Best’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes last week on several grounds, including that the prosecution failed to prove that Best was driving dangerously on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Georgetown, and resulted in the death of national cyclist, Jude Bentley.

The case was prosecuted by Shellon Daniels.

Following the ruling, the DPP moved to the Court of Appeal seeking to have the magistrate’s decision set aside or reversed.

The appeal document read: “Take notice that this Court will be moved on a day and at an hour of which you shall be informed by the Registrar by Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, Director of Public Prosecutions, Counsel on behalf of the Appellant that the decision given in the above matter by Her Worship. Magistrate Ms Rhondel Weever at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on the 3d December, 2020, be set aside and/or reversed and the Respondent be made to pay the costs of this appeal.”

Best is currently before City Magistrate, Clive Nurse for the offence of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The 41-year-old national cyclist was killed on the Rupert Craig Highway on February 8 while training; he was struck down by a Land Cruiser driven by Best.

Best was initially taken into custody but was released on $100,000 station bail. He was found to be way above the alcohol limit at the time of the accident. There have been widespread outrage at the decision of the magistrate to allow Best to walk free.

Bentley’s family is also upset at the decision and accused the judiciary of corruption.