Police Constable Sherwin Peters was on Thursday committed to stand trial before the High Court for the fatal shooting of Essequibo businessman Orin Boston in September last year.
Peters, 32, of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden was committed by Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. The Magistrate presided over the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the manslaughter charge.
Particulars of the charge alleged that Peters on September 15, 2021, at Dartmouth, Essequibo unlawfully killed Boston. He was not required to plead to the indictment.
On Thursday, Magistrate Sam ruled that there was sufficient evidence made out against Peters to face a judge and jury at the next practical sitting of the Essequibo Assizes.
On January 14, 2022, Peters made his first court appearance and was released on $1M bail.
Boston of Dartmouth, Essequibo was shot during an anti-crime operation. The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit was reportedly searching for prohibited items in Boston’s house although nothing illegal was found during the raids.
Boston’s family had disputed the police’s claims that he was shot during a confrontation and alleged that he was shot in his sleep.
Then Regional Commander Woman Superintendent Denise Griffith had demanded that justice be served two months after the shooting.
Following the shooting of Boston on September 15, 2021, residents began protesting, blocking the main bridge along the road and setting debris on fire. And Commander Griffith had said that the situation was not completely calm since residents were awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
The investigation which was conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility was forwarded to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Justice (ret’d) William Ramlall on September 23, 2021.
The file was later sent to the Director of Public Prosecution who recommended that manslaughter charges be brought against the police constable.
