Prosecutor pussyfooting on murder case of money changer, girl

Still, general, Mark Rufino.
Kaieteur News – The prosecutor of Better Hope’s money-changer murder case, Aaron Latchman and his 18-year-old daughter Arianna Latchman, appear to be pussyfooting on the matter.
When the matter was called yesterday at Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Alisha George, Police Prosecutor Vivian Adolph informed the court that the murder accused who escaped from prison last year are still at large, and that he is again to seek legal advice on the way forward in the matter from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC
The five accused of the double murder are: Mark Rufino named ‘Mark,’ 25, a laborer from Parika Facade, East Bank Essequibo; Paul Chan called ‘Long Hair’ or ‘Anthony,’ 37, conductor of 10 Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Troy Abrams called ‘Troy’ or ‘Rasta Man,’ 44, seller of 34 Middle Street, Agricola, Demerara East Bank; Lloyd Sadloo, 37, self-employed 220 Mocha Arcadia, Demerara East Bank and Sean Thomas called ‘Yankee,’ 41, electrician 59 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown.
The preliminary investigation (PI) of the murder case was postponed last year after Rufino escaped from Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara, between Tuesday October 20, 2020 and Wednesday October 21, 2020. Rufino was among three murder accused who escaped from the Dal Bay. On October 23, 2020, swift and tactical action by members of the Joint Services, acting on information received, led to the recapture of two of the escapes, while the police are still trying to find Rufino.

Died, Arianna Latchman.

Died, Aaron Latchman
On December 14, 2020, Prosecutor Adolph informed the court that Rufino had escaped from prison and asked the court for a month to recapture the prisoner. He also sought the court’s permission to seek legal advice.
Yesterday however, the prosecutor informed the court that he has not yet received legal advice, while Rufino remains at large.
Magistrate George was quick to express his dissatisfaction with the prosecutor’s handling of the matter. Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman, who represents Sadloo and attorney-at-law Lyndon Amsterdam, who represents Thomas, both expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the case.
On this default, Hanoman asked the court to release the matter against his client, since the prosecutor has done nothing with the matter since the last hearing, stating that the prosecution has no evidence against his client. “The good thing about preliminary inquiries is that you can release the matter against my client and when the prosecution has enough evidence, the police can always re-arrest and charge my client,” Hanoman noted.
Amsterdam stated in its address to the court that adjournment should not be made unless the prosecutor gives a satisfactory reason.
Magistrate George then warned the prosecutor that better must be done and adjourned the matter until Monday February 1, 2021. The Magistrate then advised both lawyers that he would be prepared to hear their applications at the next hearing date.
Chan, Abrams, Sadloo and Thomas who are still incarcerated, were contacted via Skype and provided updates.
The PI for the issue started last February, but has since faced several delays.
Kaieteur News had reported that when the five accused made their first court appearance, they were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which, on July 4, 2019, at Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, alleged murder the money changer and his daughter during a robbery.
According to reports, on the day in question, Aaron Latchman arrived home around 15:15 o’clock. and he was trying to park his car in his yard when two men struck a gun. One of the gunmen reportedly went into the house and shot a Latchman girl. Then the other attacked the father. The two men got into stuff, which led to a bag in a neighbor’s yard.
The gunman who had shot Latchman’s daughter then left the house and came to the aid of his assistant, also shooting Latchman. After Latchman fell to the ground, the assailants grabbed a bag of cash and fled. The killers escaped by car. The money exchanger and his daughter were taken to the Georgetown Public, where they were both pronounced dead on arrival.
The matter was reported and an investigation launched. The five accused were later arrested and subsequently jointly charged with murder.