GUYANA | Hammer beating murder of Mark Braithwaite is a hate crime says Attorney Darren P. Wade

GEORGETOWN,  Guyana, August 29, 2023 -   Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade says the alleged bludgeoning to death of Bartica resident, Mark Braithwaite should be treated as a hate crime, and his death, a reminder of the dangers of discrimination and prejudice.

A statement from the legal offices of Darren P Wade who was retained by the victim’s mother Clare Cheeks, said Mark Braithwaite was allegedly bludgeoned to death by Raymond Roopnarine on August 23, 2023 in Bartica, Essequibo River.

The Statement pointed out that the accused,Bartica businessman, Raymond Rupnarine is the son of Naranjan Roopnarine, a councillor for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP) on the Bartica Town Council.

According to the allegations, Braithwaite had an altercation with Roopnarine’s father on the day in question. Roopnarine then learned of the altercation and approached Braithwaite.

Raymond Rupnarine, son of PPP Councillor Naranjan Roopnarine, and the suspect in the Mark Braithwaite murder, who has not been charged but was released on station bail on Saturday, based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, pending the completion of the investigations.

Roopnarine was arrested by the police but according to the  Police Public Relations Department indicated that the suspect was released on station bail on Saturday bail after only 72 hours, based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, pending the completion of the investigations. 

This, the Wade statement said, is highly unusual in an allegation of murder.

In these circumstances, the police would  usually approach the court for an extension of time for the accused to remain in custody.

Hence, it is clear that Roopnarine is receiving preferential treatment because his father is a member of the PPP.

The pathologist who performed the post-mortem examination on Braithwaite’s body explained to his mother that he died from multiple blunt-force injuries to the head/ multiple blunt force trauma to the head.

Further, according to Ms. Cheeks, the Pathologist who conducted  post-mortem examination on August 25, 2023, explained to her that her son’s skull was broken up as a result of assault.

The police have not yet released any information about the footage of the incident. We are demanding that the police release this footage to the public so that we can see for ourselves what happened.

We are also demanding that the police conduct a fair and impartial investigation into Braithwaite’s death. We believe that Roopnarine should be charged with murder, and we will not rest until justice is served.

The deceased man's mother calls on the Guyanese people to keep her and the rest of the family in their prayers and to support their quest for justice.

According to Darren Wade, Mark Braithwaite was a victim of a hate crime, and his death is a reminder of the dangers of discrimination and prejudice. We must all work together to create a more just and equitable society, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Meanwhile, A police report of the incident last Thursday stated that Braithwaite was at a betting shop when he got into an argument with the owner’s son, Raymond Rupnarine, over spilling his drinks on the countertop of the bar.

The man reportedly hurled bottles at Rupnarine, and as he was leaving the premises, the suspect armed himself with a hammer and attacked the man, beating him with the hammer repeatedly to the head.

The victim was taken to the Bartica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The Police report of the incident stated that blunt wounds were observed to the man’s forehead, above his right eye and to the right jaw.

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