Rodney’s Widow, Brother legally represented at COI; next hearing set for May 27

 

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Several Lawyers applied for standing today (Friday, May 2) to represent the interest of the late Dr. Walter Rodney’s family and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) in the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) into Rodney’s 1980 unnatural death.

Joining the Commission is Attorney – at – Law, Andrew Pilgrim who will be representing the interest of Rodney’s widow, Patricia Rodney and his children. Pilgrim has been called to the Guyana Bar and practices in Barbados.

Standing was also granted by the Commission to Keith Scotland who will be representing Rodney’s brother; Donald Rodney who was in the car when the explosion that killed Rodney, occurred. Scotland was also recently called to the Guyana Bar and practices in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Trades Union Congress’ interest is being represented by Selwyn Peters in conjunction with Brian Clarke. Both lawyers have been called to the Local Bar.

Already participating and representing the People’s National Congress (PNC), who have so far been accused of murdering Rodney because of the threat his political party – the Working Peoples Alliance – posed to the then PNC government are local Attorneys Basil Williams, James Bond and Joseph Harmon.

Today culminated the first round of hearings which started on Monday, April 28. The next round of hearings will commence on May 27 and run until June 6.

Dr. Walter Rodney, a Guyanese political activist and intellectual died on June 13, 1980 following an explosion in his car. He is believed to have been murdered and had written several books prior to his untimely demise.

The COI among other things will inquire who or what was responsible for the explosion that led to Rodney’s death, whether it was an accident or an act of terrorism and the role of some persons and agencies, if any, in his death.