Full disclosure of evidence was made by the prosecution on Tuesday in the case involving four of the seven individuals charged in connection with the deadly bombing of a gas station in Georgetown last October. This disclosure paves the way for the case to move toward a paper committal, where a magistrate will assess the written evidence to determine if there is sufficient basis to proceed to trial in the High Court.
During a hearing before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Prosecutor Mandel Moore confirmed that all statements and forensic evidence— including test results from overseas—had been submitted. Notably, this includes results from forensic analyses conducted in India, where two crucial items recovered from the crime scene were sent for examination.
In light of the new evidence, the prosecution applied for the case to be handled via paper committal. Defence solicitor Mikel Puran, representing defendant Johnny Boodram, requested additional time to review the newly provided evidence. The court agreed, and the matter was adjourned until December 30 for further proceedings.
The four accused charged in the bombing include Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, who is said to be the alleged mastermind of the attack; along with Alexander Bettancourt, Johnny Boodram, and Krystal LaCruz. The explosion at the Mobil Petrol Station on Regent and King Streets resulted in the tragic death of a six-year-old girl, inciting national outrage.
Authorities have charged a total of seven individuals in relation to the bombing, which police believe was a coordinated attack. The remaining three accused—Guyanese nationals Wayne Correia, Ramesh Pramdeo, and Jennifer Rodriguez—are facing separate charges in different magisterial districts, with their case set for a hearing on December 17.
According to allegations, Poedemo entered Guyana illegally from Venezuela, conducted surveillance at the gas station, and planted an explosive device near the gas cylinder storage area before fleeing the scene. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with President Dr. Irfaan Ali labeling it a “vile assault” on the nation.
