Widow gives deposition in Shafeek Bacchus murder case
Guyana Chronicle
July 17, 2004

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THE widow, Jean Bacchus gave a deposition yesterday when the second preliminary inquiry (PI) into the charge against the men accused of murdering her husband, cattle farmer Shafeek Bacchus, continued before Magistrate Adrian Thompson.

The witness gave evidence-in-chief and was cross-examined by attorney-at-law Mr Compton Richardson, who is appearing for ex-policeman Shawn Hinds.

Other Defence Counsel, Mr Vic Puran, for co-accused Ashton King, part owner of A & D Funeral Parlour, declined cross-examination of the woman.

Hinds and King are charged with unlawfully killing the victim in a drive-by shooting last January 5.

The pre-trial proceedings will continue on Monday, July 19.

The first PI ended abruptly when Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen recused herself from it, following the claim by now dead self-confessed informant of the so-called death squad, George Bacchus, brother of Shafeek Bacchus, that she was on the hit list of the alleged phantom gang.

George Bacchus, who went public with allegations implicating Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj and led to the naming of a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, was shot dead in the same Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown house, outside which his brother, Shafeek died.

Following the murder of George Bacchus, too, on June 24, the reputed wife of King, Debra Douglas, Delon 'Fat Boy' Reynolds and Fabian 'Fabie' Jessop were all charged for that capital offence and are in jail awaiting the start of a PI.