Second co-accused pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2008 Bartica massacre 

Second co-accused pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2008 Bartica massacre 

 

A second co-accused in the 2008 Bartica massacre on Tuesday morning pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in the High Court.

Clad in a white linen suit, Clebert Reece appeared before Justice Roxanne George and a Jury where he entered his guilty plea to 12 counts of manslaughter.

He will face sentencing later this year but will now serve as a state witness for the continuation of the trial of the other three accused.

Reece’s Lawyer said he was concerned for his client’s safety and expects a sentencing of about 30 years.

Reece said he was willing to confess back when he was arrested but was never given the opportunity up until now.

He said the incident has caused his wife and child to shun him.

On Monday, Michael Caesar, who is also one of the five men accused of committing the murders, also pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Clebert and Caesar had admitted to the murder of 12 persons while three others have maintained their innocence.

The two are expected to be sentenced in December.

Meanwhile, Mark Royden Williams, Dennis Williams, and Roger Simon who were also committed to stand trial have maintained their innocence.

Justice George is expected to proceed with the trial against the three accused.

The men are accused of murdering Police Officers Zaheer Zakir, Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne.

They are also accused of murdering Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas, and Baldeo Singh.

 

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