Robert Darr was represented by attorney-at-law Stevenson Lewis, who, in a bid to secure bail, told the court that all the offences are bailable.

He further told the court that Dar has four children who are all minors and who are heavily dependent on the accused. The lawyer noted that his client was before the court once before and the matter was dismissed. He added that the defendant has no other previous antecedents.

Lewis argued that his client was picked up by the police and he received “a sound beating from certain members of the force.”

The lawyer explained that his client was merely before the courts because of a “say so”, and because of a certain defendant who was picked up in relation to the GuySuCo robbery.

The lawyer said that the police are claiming that his client was the mastermind, but the charges do not reflect that he was the mastermind.

The lawyer further noted that Darr was never identified or was in any confrontation with the police.

Aldhren Adonis was represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson, who in a bid to secure bail for Adonis told the court that the charges came as a surprise to his client. The lawyer added that his client was never identified as the person who committed these crimes. He also told the court that all these offences are bailable.

Paul Stephenson’s lawyer noted that his client was never identified by any of the complainants. The lawyer added that his client was beaten by the police to confess to something of which he had no knowledge. He further told the court that Adonis was arrested at a “friend’s house” at Goed Fortuin, and that he was nowhere near the Wales sugar estate.

Lloyd Johnson was represented by attorney-at-law James Bond, who told the court that Johnson poses no flight risk. The lawyer added that all of the offences are bailable, and that his client was beaten to confess to the robberies.

However, police prosecutor Desiree Fowler objected to bail on the grounds that there is a likelihood of the defendants not returning to court if they were granted their pre-trial liberty. She added that all of the offences are serious in nature.

The prosecutor informed the court that all the defendants have all given statements about their participation in these offences. Bail was denied, and they are all expected to make their next court appearance on November 17.

Jermaine Todd was the only person slapped with a solitary charge, one linked to the GuySuCo robbery. His lawyer, Euclin Gomes, noted that Todd is 21 and resides at 131 Beterverwagting, ECD. The lawyer noted that his client was beaten severely by the police.

Gomes noted that Todd was picked up by the police, and nothing suggests that he is linked to the crime.

Bail was, nevertheless, denied, and he and the others charged with the GuySuCo robbery are expected to return to court on December 4.

One of the nine men nabbed in the wake of the GuySuCo payroll heist was also yesterday charged for the Bartica massacre. He made his court appearance before Magistrate Nayasha Williams-Hatmin.

Dennis Williams, called ‘Anaconda’, 23, of 153 Barr Street, Albouystown, was yesterday slapped with thirteen counts of murder. It is alleged that on February 17, at Bartica, he murdered 30-year-old Zaheer Zakir of Leonora Housing Scheme; Shane Fredericks, 35, of Lot 241 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara; Ron Osborne of 189 Robb Street; Dexter Adrian, 37, of 581 Conciliation Street, Tucville; Orvin Ferreira, 72; Abdool Yassin Jr., of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara; Deonarine Singh, 54, of Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam; Errol Thomas of Tuschen; Ronald Gomes of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke /Linden Highway, Irwin Gilkes, 42, of Bartica; Ashraf Ally Khan, 45, of Middlesex, Essequibo Coast; and Baldeo Singh, 54, of 153 Second Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara. He was not required to plead to the indictable offence.

The accused was represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson, who told the court that the police used extreme measures against his client for him to confess to the crime. According to the accused, a black bag was placed on his head by the police. The question of bail did not arise, and he is expected to make his next court appearance on December 9. According to police sources, the accused was positively identified. He was placed on an identification parade after he was apprehended by police following the GuySuCo payroll heist.

According to police sources, Williams was identified by an eyewitness to the Bartica Massacre. He later confessed to being part of the gang that carried out the killings.

Three other persons who have being linked to the gang also made their court appearance before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton yesterday. They were identified as Sarwan Caesar, Brian Khan and Nazam Bailey.

It is alleged that on December 23, 2005, at Fort Island, they robbed Alfred Mendonca of some $5.3M in cash and other items.

It is also alleged that the same three robbed Lisa Mendonca of one Guyana passport, and a quantity of gold jewellery valued at $80,500.

It is also alleged that on that said day they robbed Ajaini Omaroo of one Guyana passport and items valuing $777,000. It is also alleged that they robbed Ajaini Omaroo of one shotgun and other items to the tune of $2.61M. They were not required to plead to the indictable offences. They are expected to return to court on December 16.