Alcohol and murder over a bottle of rum

IT is commonly said that: ‘Alcohol is the root of all evil’ and 36-year-old David Gaskin is finding that out the hard way following his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the murder of his friend over a bottle of rum.

Gaskin of Kuru-Kuru, Linden/Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday and was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that Gaskin on December 8, at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River murdered Venezuelan boat captain, Owen Williams-John.

Gaskin was remanded to prison until March 20, when the matter will be recalled at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

According to reports the two friends were consuming alcohol when an argument ensued over a bottle of rum. Gaskin became annoyed and cuffed John in the face. John then fell to the ground and Gaskin is alleged to have stomped him several times and kicked him to the head until he became motionless.

The body was left lying on the ground with blooding gushing out his ear and nostrils. Persons in the area reported the fight to the police and the body was found lying on the roadway.