Law firm dismisses allegations of ill-preparedness in Vaughn case

Law firm Hughes, Fields and Stoby has denied claims that it was unprepared or ill-prepared to prosecute the case of Police vs. Marlon Da Silva for the killing of Kenesha Vaughn.

In a statement, the firm said it is the Guyana Police Force that has failed to provide statements and evidence to the prosecutors in a timely manner, as required by the court’s directions.

The Guyana Police Force, in a statement issued yesterday, said it intends to approach the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to seek the revocation of the fiat granted to Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes in the ongoing murder case. The Police Force expressed concern over recent media reports alleging that the private prosecutor was ill-prepared to present the case, describing the situation as “unacceptable” in a capital offence matter.

The Force clarified that the matter is not being prosecuted by police prosecutors. Hughes was granted a fiat by the DPP to prosecute the case and has had sole conduct of the matter since March 17, 2025.

Citing what it described as the private prosecutor’s “inability to successfully move the prosecution forward,” the Police Force said it will raise the issue with the DPP, seeking revocation of the fiat.

However, Hughes, Fields and Stoby stated that on every occasion the matter was called, it was ready and able to proceed with the prosecution. It stressed that the success of the case depends on whether police witnesses attend court and testify.

The firm firmly denied being unprepared at any stage of the trial and reiterated that delays stemmed from the Police Force’s failure to provide required statements and evidence in accordance with the court’s orders.

The law firm also said it welcomes a full investigation into any complaint lodged by the Guyana Police Force regarding its conduct in the prosecution of Marlon Da Silva.