More statements, DNA analysis tendered as paper committal continues in gas station bombing case

The paper committal proceedings involving four of the accused charged in connection with the deadly explosion at the Mobil gas station on Regent Street in October 2025 continued on Thursday.

At the start of the hearing, members of the media were temporarily excluded from the virtual proceedings after attorneys in the matter raised legal arguments which the magistrate said they asked not to be heard by the press.

Following the conclusion of those submissions, the proceedings resumed with the prosecution tendering additional statements into evidence. More than 200 statements have now been tendered since the commencement of the paper committal proceedings earlier this week.

The court also received other pieces of evidence, including discs, photographs, medical reports and DNA analysis reports.

The paper committal proceedings began on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, during which more than 100 statements were tendered into evidence.

The matter was adjourned until June 29 for continuation.

A paper committal is a legal process in which a magistrate determines whether there is sufficient evidence to commit an accused person to stand trial in the High Court based on written evidence and legal submissions, rather than live witness testimony.

Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, who prosecutors allege masterminded the attack, is jointly charged with Alexander Bettencourt, Johnny Boodram and Krystal La Cruz.

Two other accused men, Ramesh Pramdeo and Wayne Correia, who were charged in a separate magisterial district, were freed in April after the court upheld a no-case submission in their favour.

During previous court appearances, Ramirez Poedemo repeatedly claimed responsibility for the attack and called on the court to release the other accused. However, following an adjournment in the matter, the court was informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided to proceed with the charges against the remaining defendants.

The October 2025 explosion claimed the life of young Soraya Bourne and caused widespread shock across the country.