Three Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Coast Guardsmen who have been sitting on death row since 2013, will appear at the Guyana Court of Appeal on March 15, when their challenge against their murder conviction will be heard.
The murder convictions: Sherwin Hart, Devon Gordon and Deon Greenidge in 2013 were convicted of the August 20, 2009 murder of Bartica gold miner Dwieve Kant Ramdass. They were subsequently sentenced to death by hanging by High Court Judge Franklin Holder.
The Court of Appeal had initially set aside Monday to begin hearing arguments in the matter.
However, the court was unable to proceed as there were some preliminary issues to be settled on part of the defense and prosecution. After imposing rigid timelines to file submissions, the court announced it will hear the case in March.
According to media reports, on the day in question, at Caiman Hole in the Essequibo River, the trio forced Ramdass to their boat and released him $ 17 million, which he was carrying in a box for his employer. Then they left Ramdass all over.
Greenidge and Gordon are represented by Attorney-in-Law Nigel Hughes in conjunction with Attorney-at-Law Ronald Daniels, Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat appearing on behalf of Hart. Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dionne appears on behalf of the State.
The appeal will be heard by Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Appeal Justices Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory.