13 days later: No charges for Cadet who shot 15 – year – old in his mouth – speculations of a cover up surges

 

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Police Cadet who shot 15 – year – old Alex Griffith in his mouth on April 30 is not only yet to be charged but is walking a free man and is still employed by the Guyana Police Force though his actions constitutes clear criminal and professional breaches.

When contacted by iNews on Tuesday, May 13 – almost two weeks since the teen was shot – Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that the Officer who has been identified as Franze Paul is yet to be charged.

“The matter remains the same and that is that it is being actively pursued and investigated,” he said.

James assured that results will be forthcoming soon. When quizzed further on what results can be expected, the Crime Chief could not say but maintained that the matter will come to a close soon.

The delay in charging the Officer has resulted in several Human Rights organizations and political Parties speaking out on the issue and urging that the Top Cop break his silence on the matter.

The teen’s mother, Marcel Griffith had also expressed disappointment with the manner in which the investigations are progressing.

The shot teen was allegedly dragged from his mother’s East La Penitence home on the night of April 30 and shot in the mouth by Cadet Franze Paul who claimed that the teen had witnessed the robbery of his female relative.

Only yesterday, the Guyana Human Rights Association said the abject failure to lay charges both criminal and departmental against all of the officers involved in the incident is a major set-back for those hoping that the new leadership of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) intends to pursue more robust action against errant police officers than their predecessors.

Also, Former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix has castigated the Guyana Police Force for what he says is an upsurge in wayward shootings.

Felix, speaking to the media on Monday, May 12 said the hierarchy of the force, particularly recently appointed (ag) Top Cop Seelall Persaud, has lost a golden opportunity by failing to speak out on these issues.

Calls have been mounted from all corners of society for there both criminal and departmental charges lay against the officer and his accomplices and the delay in doing so has certainly increased the speculation of a cover afoot.

The debate is that the Officer was wrong to leave his division where he was stationed –‘C’ Division – and travel to ‘A’ Division to investigate as he claims, a robbery committed on a female relative which Griffith allegedly saw but has denied.

Additionally, the Officer was censured from removing the teen from his home in a reported violent manner and interrogated him in the absence of a guardian.

What seems to have raised eyebrows was the revelation that the cop played Russian roulette with the teen before he finally shot him.

Relatives have reasoned that the cop’s intention was to kill and should be prosecuted along those lines without fear or favour. Meanwhile, the family has refused a $1M settlement offered by the Officer.