Former Army Chief of Staff and PNCR Executive Member, Gary Best was this morning released on $500,000 bail.
This was after a charge which alleged that he caused the death of former national cyclist, Jude Bentley, by driving dangerously.
Best, who has retained prominent lawyer, Nigel Hughes was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
He was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on February 8,2020 at Clive Lloyd Drive, Greater Georgetown, he drove motor vehicle PRR 8182 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Bentley.
Hughes asked for his client to be released on reasonable bail given the fact that he served 34 years in the Guyana Defence Force. Hughes told the court that his client is a former Presidential Advisor, and poses no risk of flight.
However, Police Prosecutor Delon Sullivan objected to bail being granted to Best on the grounds of the serious nature of the allegation and the penalty the charge attracts.
The Prosecutor further told the court that when Best was arrested, he was found to be above the legal alcohol limit.
The Magistrate, in response to the Prosecutor, told the court that she will grant Best bail
because she is of the opinion that he is well known to society and if he attempts flight risk it might be difficult for him to hide. She added that she if of the opinion that he will attend court for his trial.
Condition of the bail is that he must lodge his passport and report to the traffic Headquarters once a month until the hearing and determination of the trial.
Soon after his appearance before Magistrate McGusty, a handcuffed Best was placed through the prisoners’ chute and sent to another Magistrate.
Before Magistrate Clive Nurse, Best pleaded not guilty to a charge which alleges that on the same day and at the same location, he drove motor vehicle PRR 8182 when his blood alcohol level was 85 micrograms.
He was released on his own recognizance (self bail).
The father of one was instructed to make his next court appearance on March 17.
A few weeks ago, Bentley was riding his cycle around 05:00 hrs—heading east on the Clive Lloyd Drive when he was struck and killed.
At the time of the accident, he was proceeding to Sheriff Street to meet a group of cyclists.
In Best’s statement to the police, he claimed that the cyclist was riding without reflective gear and his cycle was not equipped with lights, making it difficult to see him in the dark.
However, this claim has since been proven to be untrue by a motorist, who released a dash cam footage of Bentley just a few minutes before he was killed.
The video showed Bentley wearing reflective gear and his cycle had lights.
In fact, these items were discovered—mangled at the scene of the accident.
What was not found though is the dash cam footage on Best’s black Land Cruiser. Best claimed that the camera was not working at the time of the deadly accident.
