…remanded to prison
Proprietor of Tourist Villa Hotel, Erwin Bacchus, of Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, who was initially charged with manslaughter for the shooting death of his neighbour Jason De Florimonte, is now facing a murder charge.
Bacchus made his first court appearance last month and was released on $1.5M bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
However, during today’s hearing the manslaughter charge was withdrawn and instituted with a charge of murder to which he was not required to plead.
According to presiding Magistrate Judy Latchman who re-read the charge to Bacchus, the withdrawal was recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after the findings into the matter were completed.
However, Bacchus’s attorney Nigel Hughes argued that the decision made by the DPP was nothing but an “abuse of power”.
Further, Hughes argued that it was the deceased who armed himself with a knife and a rolling pin and attacked the handyman who ran for cover inside the residence of the accused.
It was at that time that the defendant, who was licenced to carry a firearm, allegedly fired two warning shots.
Hughes further noted that the deceased told his client that he didn’t care and continued pursuing the handyman.
During the ordeal, it is alleged that De Florimonte attempted to stab Bacchus with the knife when he (Bacchus) shot him several times about his body.
Magistrate Latchman however, remanded Bacchus to prison. The matter will continue Tuesday.
Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers informed the court that matter is ready for a new date for commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry in which 20 witnesses will be called.
On the day of the killing, 30-year-old, De Florimonte of Lot 96 Fifth Avenue Subryanville, Kitty, Georgetown was reportedly assaulting his girlfriend in front of his home when the hotel’s handyman intervened.
However, this angered the now dead man who pursued the handyman to the hotel where he was shot multiple times.
