Besides Reece, four other persons are charged for the Bartica massacre- that resulted in the deaths of 12 persons in 2008. Earlier this month, Michael Caesar plead guilty to 12 counts of manslaughter before Justice Roxane George.
The remaining three suspects, Roger Anthony Simon, Mark Royden Williams and Dennis Williams have pleaded not guilty and their trial is continuing.
Meanwhile Reece, who plead guilty on the lesser count for his involvement in the deaths, had his statements read out in court earlier this month by lead Prosecutor Diana Kowlessar. Information from his statements painted the picture that his actions were done under duress. He recollected that he received threats against him via a telephone call from “Fine Man” and he was later held up by four men armed with AK-47’s and a car driver who carried a hand gun at East La Penitence.
The court heard that this car took him to the Parika bus terminal in Georgetown where he and two other men travelled by bus to Parika. The defendant further claimed that he was “forcibly contracted” to drive the gunmen by boat from Parika to Bartica and to and from a resting place on a nearby island.
Recalling the night of the massacre, Reece said that he and seven other men left the island at 18:00hrs for Bartica and he docked the boat. Reece also claimed that he heard gunshots and even witnessed five of the 12 victims being shot to the head by “Fine Man”. The court heard that after Reece set the boat adrift at a camp, two safes were opened which contained gold and jewellery. The defendant added that all the men were paid six ounces of gold each.
He said he later escaped from “Fine Man” and his henchmen some three months later after which he was captured by Police on May 27, 2008.
The five, allegedly being a part of the Rondell “Fine Man” Rawlins’ notorious criminal gang attacked the town and fatally shot 12 persons, namely Police Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne. Additionally, Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas and Baldeo Singh were the civilians killed.
Why not publish my comment
Only 35 years for murdering 12 innocent people including three Police Officers.Now this murderer will be out at 65 yrs old to kill again. This sentence should be appealed. Life without parole. These Judges should be Jailed themselves. How can they sleep. Shame on Roxanne George. No Title before your name.