Woman remanded for attempted murder, armed robbery & unlawful firearm possession – INews Guyana
A 19-year-old mother was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to answer to a string of serious charges ranging from armed robbery and attempted murder to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Condoleezza Henry, 19, a St. Lucian national who works as a housekeeper and resides at Guyhoc Squatting Area, Georgetown, is accused of playing a central role in a violent robbery that left a senior security official hospitalised with a gunshot wound to the chest.
According to the charges, Henry, along with others, allegedly attacked Claudius Fraser, a 69-year-old Operations Manager attached to Caliber Security Service, on June 20 at Princes Street, Lodge. The group was reportedly armed with a knife when they relieved Fraser of a .32 revolver valued at $165,300 and $495,000 in cash, all property of the victim and the security firm. During the ordeal, the attackers are said to have shot Fraser using his own firearm.
Fraser has since been discharged from the hospital, but a bullet remains lodged in his chest, and he is scheduled to undergo surgery later this week, the court heard.
Police apprehended Henry during a cordon and search operation at her residence in the early hours of July 6. A .32 revolver, along with one live round and a spent shell, was discovered hidden inside a speaker box at the home she shares with 29-year-old Kristoff Nicholson, who is currently wanted in connection with the same robbery.
During her court appearance before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, Henry pleaded guilty, with an explanation to the charge of illegal possession of ammunition, claiming the weapon belonged to her child’s father and had been stored in their home without her involvement. She pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges, which include illegal possession of a firearm, robbery with a firearm, and attempted murder.
Henry is the mother of a nine-month-old child and was unrepresented in court.
Prosecutors objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the current medical condition of the victim. The matter was adjourned to July 30, when Henry is expected to make her next court appearance.
