Gas station bombing suspect withdraws guilty plea
May 20 2026
In another dramatic turn in the Regent Street gas station bombing case, the prime suspect on Wednesday informed the Court that he no longer wishes to plead guilty to the terrorism-related charge.
Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, who previously admitted responsibility for the deadly October 2025 bombing that claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne, reversed his position during this morning’s hearing before Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Ramirez Poedemo told the Court that he was withdrawing his guilty plea following the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to proceed with terrorism charges against the three other Venezuelan nationals jointly charged alongside him — Alexander Bettencourt, Jhonny Boodram and Krystal LaCruz.
Back in March, Ramirez Poedemo had stunned the courtroom after declaring that he alone was responsible for the bombing, an admission which many believed could have significantly altered the direction of the high-profile case.
However, when the matter was called on Wednesday, the Court was informed that the DPP intends to continue prosecution proceedings against all four accused. Shortly after, Ramirez Poedemo informed the Court that he was no longer admitting guilt.
With the latest development now changing the course of the matter once again, Chief Magistrate McGusty announced that paper committal proceedings into the deadly Regent Street bombing will begin on June 8 at 1:30 PM at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
During the proceedings, the Court will examine statements, reports and other documentary evidence before determining whether sufficient evidence exists for the accused to stand trial in the High Court.
Meanwhile, the case has already seen mixed outcomes for several of the accused. In April, Magistrate Alisha George, sitting at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, dismissed the charges against Guyanese nationals Wayne Corriea and Ramesh Pramdeo after ruling that there was insufficient evidence linking them to the bombing.
However, Venezuelan national Jennifer Rodrigues was committed to stand trial in the High Court based on the evidence presented before the Court.
(Source: News source)
