‘Notorious’ Mark Royden Williams denies murdering soldier

Notorious mass-murderer and death row inmate, Mark Royden Williams on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the murder of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier, Ivor Williams, which occurred in 2008.

Williams, also known as ‘Smallie’, was arraigned before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Georgetown High Court.

The GDF soldier was shot during an armed confrontation between the military and gunmen on January 23, 2008, at Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

Williams was represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes while the State’s case was presented by Prosecutors Taneisha Saygon and Muntaz Ali.

The trial is expected to commence on Monday, June 27.

Last year, Williams was freed of two counts of murder after a jury found him not guilty of killing two men during an armed robbery at a bar at Agriculture Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara in 2007.

In 2019, Williams was freed of the 2007 murder of Kumar ‘Mango Man’ Singh after a 12-member jury found him not guilty.

In 2017, Williams was sentenced to death on eight counts of murder for the 2008 Bartica massacre. He, however, has appealed both his sentencing and conviction.

Also, in 2013, Williams was found not guilty of 11 counts of murder in relation to the 2008 Lusignan massacre.