Gas station bombing: Paper committal delayed as alleged mastermind, other suspect secure legal representation

The commencement of paper committal proceedings involving four of the seven accused individuals charged in relation to the deadly gas station explosion at Regent Street, Georgetown was delayed on Tuesday after the alleged mastermind and another suspect secured legal representation and their attorneys requested additional time to review case documents.

The matter is being heard before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Tuesday had previously been set for the start of paper committal proceedings.

However, the process could not begin after attorney Shellon Boyce of the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic entered an appearance for one of the accused, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo.

Boyce told the court she had received the prosecution’s documents but requested time to review the bundle of statements and meet with her client to obtain instructions.

Meanwhile, attorney Melvin Duke appeared for Alexander Bettencourt.

Their requests for time to review the evidence and consult with their clients was granted by the court. As a result, the case was adjourned to March 23, 2026.

Poedemo and Bettencourt did not have legal representation before.

During paper committal proceedings, the magistrate will decide whether the evidence is admissible and whether a prima facie case exists to send the matter to trial in the High Court.

Four of the seven individuals charged in connection with the October 26, 2025 explosion at the Mobil petrol station on Regent Street are currently before the Georgetown court.

They are Poedemo, Bettencourt, Johnny Boodram and Kyrsyal La Cruz. Poedemo is alleged to be the mastermind behind the attack, which authorities have described as a coordinated act.

The other three accused individuals— Wayne Correia, Ramesh Pramdeo and Jennifer Rodriguez — are facing separate charges in other magisterial districts.