Support Village Voice News With a Donation of Your Choice.
Forty years after he was convicted and sentenced for carrying explosives when his brother was assassinated, the Court of Appeal here on Tuesday set aside the verdict rendered against Donald Rodney.
Rodney had fought for years to have the conviction and sentence overturned.
Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards delivered the ruling Tuesday afternoon. Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud were also part of the panel that heard the case.
In a brief comment at the conclusion of the matter , Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC stated the decision of the Court of Appeal is in keeping with the Law. The case has spent an unduly long time within the criminal justice system.
On June 24, 1980, Donald Rodney was charged for possession of explosives without lawful authority. He was then convicted on February 26, 1982 and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.On the day of the explosion, Donald Rodney had reportedly collected a ‘walkie-talkie’ for Dr. Walter Rodney, which was supplied by a then member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Gregory Smith. The brothers were instructed to test the instrument near the Georgetown.
Donald Rodney was represented by lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin.
