Cop gets $150,000 bail on manslaughter charge over shooting unarmed man

Twenty-five-year-old Police Constable Troy Munroe, was on Tuesday released on $150, 000 bail on a manslaughter charge over fatally shooting an unarmed man. Constable Munroe was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on July 25, last, at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he unlawfully killed 39-year-old Cecil Sampat. The Police Constable is expected to make his next court appearance on January 5, 2021, before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The Police rank is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Patrice Henry.

On August 14, last Constable Munroe along with Police Corporal Godwin Thomas were jointly charged with murdering Sampat. However, the murder charge against them was recently withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack. After reviewing the case file, the DPP advised that Constable Munroe alone be charged with manslaughter.

The DPP further advised the Police to do further investigation on the ballistic evidence and return the case file for further advice in relation to Corporal Thomas and Constable Jacobs. Both Constable Munroe and Corporal Thomas had been released on $500, 000 station bail pending investigations. According to information, on July 25, last at about 01:30, three police officers on patrol traced the motorcar that Sampat and his friends were in from Agricola, East Bank Demerara.

While on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, it was reported that the ranks riddled their car with bullets. The police did not report what led to the shooting, but 27-year-old Winston Fraser and Sampat were shot to their backs. They were escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were admitted.

Sampat died a week after he was admitted. Fraser is now paralyzed.