Magistrate Wilson granted bail to Chandrawattie on Wednesday, February 04 at the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court; however the bail was immediately revoked after Prosecutor Stephen Telford sought the intervention of Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine – Beharry.
It should be noted that the charge of murder is an indictable offence, thus it is not bailable. A Magistrate does not have the power to grant bail to a murder accused; bail for such an offence is only done through the High Court and is solely up to the Judge’s discretion.
On December 24, 2013, Chandrawattie was charged with murder and has been remanded since. It is alleged that on April 21, 2013 at Port Kaituma, North West District he murdered Dharamchand Mangra.
The Court heard that the accused along with others on that day planned a robbery and during the course of that robbery, Mangra was shot and killed.
Chandrawattie is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Compton Richardson. It is not clear as to whether Magistrate Wilson will be disciplined for his decision by the Judicial Service Commission.
