Chief Justice orders trial after rejecting guilty pleas in Region 1 murder case

March 23 2026

Two young men accused of killing 18-year-old Jude Christino in 2022 will proceed to trial after Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh declined to accept their attempted guilty pleas on Wednesday in the Demerara High Court.

Wayne DaSilva, 22, known as “Monkey Man,” and OJ Samuel Smith, called “Red Boy,” are jointly indicted for the fatal stabbing of Christino at Kumaka Waterfront in Mabaruma, Region One.

When the charge was read, DaSilva initially signalled that he accepted the allegation, suggesting he wished to plead guilty to murder.

However, as the judge sought to confirm that the plea was voluntary and unequivocal, DaSilva appeared visibly unsettled.

He hesitated in his responses, stammered, and at one point held his head, prompting the court to pause the proceedings.

Justice Singh questioned whether he was medically fit to continue and carefully explained the seriousness and consequences of entering a guilty plea.

Under further probing, DaSilva’s account shifted. While he at times suggested involvement, he also denied being the one who killed Christino.

He told the court he had gone to the waterfront to defuse an argument between Christino and Smith, describing himself as a “peacemaker.”

According to him, as he attempted to pull Christino away, the teen suddenly collapsed.

When asked directly how the stab wounds were inflicted, DaSilva gave contradictory responses, later claiming he saw Smith stab Christino repeatedly about the neck.

Given the inconsistencies and uncertainty in his statements, Justice Singh ruled that the plea did not meet the legal standard of being clear and unambiguous.

A not guilty plea was therefore entered on his behalf.

Smith also addressed the court, offering his version of events. He alleged that DaSilva instructed him to restrain Christino during the confrontation.

Smith said he complied because he was afraid, claiming DaSilva was armed with a knife and he feared being harmed. He told the court that while he held Christino, DaSilva carried out the stabbing.

Although Smith initially indicated he was prepared to admit to the lesser offence of manslaughter, his explanation raised the issue of possible duress.

Justice Singh observed that, based on the accounts provided, potential legal defences could arise. In those circumstances, the court could not safely accept the pleas.

Both men’s attempts to plead guilty were rejected, and the trial is ongoing.

DaSilva and Smith were first charged in 2022 in connection with Christino’s death.

Reports at the time indicated that the August 3, 2022, confrontation stemmed from an argument after Christino allegedly interrupted a discussion involving one of the accused and his girlfriend.

The dispute reportedly escalated into violence, during which Christino was stabbed several times.

Smith was 16 years old at the time of the incident. Both accused were remanded following their initial appearance before the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court in August 2022.

The case will now be determined by a judge and jury in the Demerara High Court.

The prosecution is being led by state attorneys Christopher Belfield and Geneva Wills.