Causing death matter dismissed against taxi driver

Jul 21, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday dismissed a matter of causing death by dangerous driving against a taxi driver after she found that the evidence lead by the prosecution witnesses was insufficient.

Noel DeFreitas

It had been alleged that on January 24, last, at Nelson Mandela Avenue, Noel DeFreitas, 54, of 17 Newtown, Georgetown, drove his vehicle HC 4295 in a matter dangerous to the public, causing the death of Morris Nurse.
The magistrate went on to tell the court that a prima facie case was not made out against the defendant. The magistrate added that there was no evidence that the defendant was speeding on the day in question and the prosecution witnesses had failed to provide the court with any evidence as to how the accident occurred and how the victim was taken to the hospital.
DeFreitas’ attorney on his first appearance had told the court that his client, after the incident, had rendered assistance to Nurse – he took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The attorney went on to tell the court that his client fully cooperated with the police while they were conducting their investigation.
The prosecutor stated that on the day in question the now deceased Nurse was a pedestrian when he was struck down by the defendant’s vehicle, which was proceeding in a fast manner while approaching Nelson Mandela Avenue.
The father of two was placed on $800,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate on his first appearance and his driver’s licence was suspended.

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