Magistrate to proceed with PI into murders of Better Hope moneychanger, daughter Wednesday

Mark Rufino (second from left) is still missing in action

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has advised that the court proceeds with the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murders of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara money changer Aaron Latchman and his daughter Arianna, for which five were jointly charged and remanded to prison.

One of the accused killers, Mark Rufino, 25, a labourer of Parika Facade, East Bank Essequibo, is yet to be recaptured after he escaped from the Holding Bay at the Lusignan Prison between Tuesday, October 20, 2020, and Wednesday, October 21, 2020.  Ever since his escape, the matter had been stalled.

The DPP’s officer has advised that Rufino be removed from the joint charge and that the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), which had already started, continue for the four other accused.

They are: Paul Chan called ‘Long Hair’, 37, a conductor of 10 Dennis Street, Sophia; Troy Abrams called ‘Troy’ or ‘Rasta man’, 44, a vendor of Middle Street, Agricola, EBD; Lloyd Sadloo, 37, a vendor of 220 Mocha Arcadia, EBD; and Sean Thomas called ‘Yankee’, 41, an electrician of 59 William Street, Kitty.

The PI continues on Wednesday, February 03, 2021, before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

On June 4, 2019, Latchman and his daughter were gunned down by bandits on their arrival home. The bandits carted off a bag containing cash.

On the day of the incident, the teenager was shot to her chest when the bandits entered the house through the back door and began demanding money.

Her father was shot three times-twice to the right-side shoulder and once to the left. Following the robbery, the gunmen made good their escape in a white waiting Toyota Carina 212 motorcar.

The father and daughter were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were pronounced dead.