BELVEDERE--Police officer R.Y., who was detained for the murder of Akeem Isidora on March 4, and who was later flown to a prison in Aruba for safety reasons, was flown back to St. Maarten this week for a re-enactment of the murder.

 

Press Prosecutor Jonda van der Wulp told that the re-enactment took place all morning on Friday at the scene of the fatal shooting in Belvedere. The re-enactment was led by the Judge of Instruction handling the case, Mauritz de Kort. Also present at the re-enactment were the Prosecutors Office, lawyers, investigating officers and detectives.

 

Due to safety reasons, Van der Wulp declined to specify when Y. was brought back to St. Maarten or indicate where he will be housed now.

She said investigations into the shooting are continuing. Apart from the investigations being done by detectives, the Judge of Instruction is leading an investigation and has the possibility to, on his own, hear witnesses.

 

The Prosecutor says at the end of the day, parties in the investigations come together to sort out the matter and to bring a conclusion to the investigations. She said in bigger cases it is common for the Judge of Instruction to lead his own investigation.

 

Y. was arrested on Sunday, May 17, in connection with the fatal shooting of Isidora (22) during an altercation in Happy Estate, Belvedere on March 4. He was later sent to Aruba because of safety risks in the Pointe Blanche Prison. He is being charged with manslaughter or murder.

 

Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson had said in a report after the shooting that witnesses had reported that the incident occurred after a very heated verbal confrontation between the off-duty officer, who was at that time driving in his personal vehicle, and a group of men from the neighbourhood. At one point during this confrontation the situation escalated and got out of control, Henson had said at the time.

 

This is when, according to witnesses, shots were fired leaving Isidora dead on the street. The officer was suspended from his post after the incident.

 

The Daily Herald