Hours after being charged with possession of illegal arms and discharging a firearm, Dwayne Castello, also known as ’Topcat,’ was charged with the murder of 23-year-old Navindra Samaroo of West La Penitence, Georgetown.
Castello was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on July 23, 2020, at Middle Road, La Penitence, he murdered Samaroo. He appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly and was remanded to prison until December 1, 2020.
Samaroo, A Marketing Representative for G & J Distribution, was shot and killed during a robbery around 13:00 hrs on July 23, 2020.
According to information, on the day in question, Samaroo was transporting a large amount of cash after he visited a bank and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to conduct the company’s business. On his way back to work, he was gunned down.
Castello was shot and arrested last week after he opened fire at members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The 27-year-old earlier today appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The first charge stated that on August 27, 2020, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he had in his possession one 9mm pistol together with six matching rounds when he was not a licensed firearm holder.
It was further alleged that on August 27, 2020, he discharged a gun at police officer Kester Cosbert, with intent to maim, disfigured, or cause him actual bodily harm.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded to prison until September 23, 2020, when he will appear before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty.
Facts presented by Prosecutor Sanj Singh stated that on the day in question, at around 20:05 hrs, officer Cosbert and other ranks were on patrol in the East LaPenitence area when they made contact with Castello, who was wanted for the murder of Navindra Samaroo, which occurred on July 23, 2020, at Middle Road, La Penitence.
The officers disembarked their vehicle, and Castello, upon seeing them, discharged several rounds in their direction.
Officer Costbert then returned fire, causing a bullet to hit Castello on his left leg below his knee. He was then arrested and taken into custody.
