CHIEF Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday committed an unrepresented Tony Marcus (no address given) to stand trial at the High Court for attempting to murder Etwaroo Narine on July 6 at McDoom, East Bank Demerara.
She informed him that a prima facie case had been made out against him for the indictable offence that alleged that, on the day in question, he had chopped Narine with intent to commit murder.
The matter was prosecuted by Police Inspector Michael Grant, and six witnesses, inclusive of two police witnesses, had been called to testify on behalf of the prosecution.
Marcus will stand trial at the next practical sitting of the Demerara High Court.
Given the option to either give a sworn or unsworn statement, or to remain silent, Marcus chose to remain silent. However, with the assistance of Attorney-at-Law Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat, the accused told the court that he wished to reserve his right to call his witnesses at the High Court.
On Marcus’s first appearance in court, on July 28 last, it was related that Narine had been drinking at a shop when Marcus asked him for money. An argument ensued, and Marcus dealt Narine a chop to his shoulder. Narine ran away, but Marcus ran behind Narine and chopped him.
Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru opposed the granting of bail to Marcus based on the seriousness of the offence, its prevalence, and the fact that Narine had been hospitalized. Marcus was therefore remanded to prison.