Upper Berbice River man pleads guilty to murder of friend

A man from Upper Berbice River, Region Six entered a guilty plea on Tuesday following the charge of murder against his friend.

Maxton Walker, aged 28, a tractor operator residing in Hururu Mission, appeared before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Berbice High Court.

It is alleged that on March 18, 2024, at 7 Mile, Hururu Mission, Upper Berbice River, Walker murdered 38-year-old Marcus Adrian.

After the charge was read to Walker, he pleaded guilty.

Under the laws of Guyana, Walker is entitled to a trial by jury on the charge in the indictment for the offence of murder. At such a trial, he would be presumed innocent, and the jury would be responsible for establishing his guilt beyond reasonable doubt through the presentation of evidence. However, following his guilty plea, Walker waives his entitlement to a jury trial.

Subsequently, Justice Morris-Ramlall scheduled May 6th for a sentencing hearing and requested a probation report as well as a psychiatric report.

The State is represented by Attorney-at-law Marisa Edwards, while Walker is represented by Attorney-at-law Charlyn Artiga.

According to police reports, Adrian and Walker have been well-known to each other since their youth and used to collaborate in logging activities. Investigations further indicate that both men were consuming High Wine, Guinness, and Turbo and were reportedly intoxicated. A misunderstanding ensued during which Walker allegedly threw Adrian to the ground and inflicted multiple cuts to his neck and face. Adrian Subsequently got up and attempted to flee but collapsed along the trail.

Walker was apprehended by the Toshao and handed over to the police. The deceased’s body, found lying on the Hururu Trail in a pool of blood with 23 incised wounds, was transported to the Linden Hospital Complex.