Let the criminal proceedings begin
DEAR EDITOR,
Three men were charged earlier this week with the murders of the two Henry Boys on the West Coast of Berbice, Isaiah and Joel Henry. Allegations have been laid and a trial would soon begin for this crime that has held so large in our country for months now. This is a major breakthrough in a four-month long investigation that at times does not seem to be going anywhere, but at last we seem to see a light at the end of the tunnel, as there is some progress in the this case.
Of great significance is that the police receive a statement of admittance from one of the accused, a confession which reflects the events of that fateful day. And to make it more transparent and above board, that confession was not beaten from it and was not forced into confession in any way. In fact, in an unprecedented move, Guyana Police invited the media to witness, as well as cover up its hour-long testimony.
He is clearly not insane, and is not affected in any way by psychiatric issues, in which case, at the ensuing trial, the presiding judge may order a thorough medical examination of the confessor if necessary. If he is not mentally incapacitated in any way then he is fit to stand trial.
Now from my observation this latest development lays out a whole case edited for criminal justice history books in this country and like many more that would be revealed as the trial progresses. Many unanswered questions would be answered and those walled areas hidden from our view would soon become apparent. So let the trial begin!
Emotions immediately run high as questions, criticisms, opinions and the lot come to light. Some of these run like this, whether these guys are the right people accused of the heinous crimes, or other serious arguments about whether this breaks new ground in the case or just junkies raised and forced to make a confession. But emotions are not evidence, feelings are not facts, so let’s start.
In a summary of last week’s events, some questions become real issues and I have made the following points:
First, for the politicians who descended on the West Coast village of Berbice and provoked a political riot, now is the time for them to worry. The facts of the case so far do not amount to politically motivated killing which is something the Opposition should remember. They exploited matter for political purposes beyond what it is. This also caused the killing of two innocent victims who had nothing to do with the Henry Boys, so the opposition should hang their heads in shame over the misery and almost civil war they could have started.
For the racist mobsters they also need to stop and think about the hurt they have caused, I’m talking about the senseless roadblocks, the beats and thefts, even the murders of Haresh Singh and the gentleman of Harripaul. This senseless bloodshed of people not clearly involved in the murders of the Henry Boys, were all scandalous acts that were supposed to divide our nation. In the absence of solid evidence persons should never allow themselves to be so driven into a crazy frenzy of homicides; Guyana cannot afford such madness. Let those so designated carry out their investigations and let sober and reasonable decisions take precedence.
For Henry’s family of boys, what were they doing there, did they go there to pick coconuts or was it mangoes, or is that what we’ll find out soon. The family initially said they don’t have information because the boys have enemies, well much of that theory would find answers soon as the trial went on.
To the human rights organization that brought a man here to spend a vacation – because the question is asked what can a forensic expert find in a few hours of “seeing” when such an issue would require weeks of investigation, per purpose. if not months? Isn’t this why this expert is now requesting a police investigation report into document plagiarism to the satisfaction of the GHRA and the family so affected?
To the villagers and the wider Guyanese Community, we can now breathe a sigh of relief that progress is being made to the murders of both cousins.
Finally, I would say that this is not another Courtney Crum Ewing case, that’s for sure, and it wouldn’t be another Roger Khan fiasco. Incidentally, the political opposition, without a charge being filed, or a case being called, could make the judicial, propagandistic statement that over 500 young people had been killed by Khan. So my question is with so many lives lost – and this is in theory – why was there no trial, why wasn’t Khan tried? It boggles the mind that so many lives could have been lost and there was no trial? These Rebellions, as they are called, are still trumped far and wide by the Opposition for the simple fact that no allegations have been laid or that there has been a trial.
So for the Opposition and those who are so inclined to believe their narrative, remember that this case of The Henry Boys would see trial and definitive answers made at its end. I will rest my case.
Respectfully presented,
Neil Adams