Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Tucville murder trial ends… Duo freed due to insufficient evidence
Acquitted: Edward Skeete
In light of insufficient evidence provided by the State in the case against Edward Skeete and Nabadingi Gobin for the July 2015 murder of Ryan Clementson, Justice Navindra Singh yesterday directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in relation to the offence.
Gobin also known as “Dangles” and Skeete called “Pretty Boy” had both denied the allegation that they murdered Clementson at Turning Point, Tucville, Georgetown, on July 24, 2015.
After the State closed its case, the Judge noted that there was insufficient evidence against the two men to satisfy the elements of the offence for which they were charged.
They were represented by Attorneys Nigel Hughes, Mark Waldron and Keoma Griffith. Attorneys Tiffini Lyken, Abigail Gibbs and Narissa Leander represented the State, which indicated an intention to appeal the outcome of the case.
Earlier in the trial, Police witnesses testified to responding to reports of a shooting near the Turning Point establishment at Tucville, Georgetown.
Police Lance Corporal, Detective Colwyn Major, who told the court that he discovered Clementson partially submerged in a trench next to a bridge at the location, said that on July 24, 2015 he was performing duties at the East La Penitence Police Station when he received information about a shooting at Turning Point in Tucville. As a result, the policeman recalled that he and a party of policemen proceeded to the location in force vehicle, PNN 8760.
According to the police witness, he encountered Clementson whose lower body was partially submerged in a trench next to a bridge in the area. The cop recalled that Clementson was groaning as if he was in pain.
Lance Corporal Major told the court that public spirited citizens assisted him with removing the man from the trench. He said that he observed what appeared to be a gunshot wound on Clementson’s upper right thigh. He said that Clementson was placed in the force’s vehicle and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
“During the journey to the hospital, Clementson did not sustain any further injuries, neither was the vehicle involved in any accidents,” Lance Corporal Major added.
He said that on their way to the hospital, he questioned Clementson about who had shot him and he mentioned a name, then related certain things to him that caused him to contact Ayodele Solomon, who he met at the hospital.
According to the detective, while conversing with Solomon he noticed what appeared to be a gunshot wound on his right shoulder. Lance Corporal Major added that he then returned to the crime scene where he was unsuccessful in finding anything of evidential value.
Under cross examination by Defence Counsel Hughes, the detective was asked to clarify what sort of wound he saw on Clementson’s chest. The police witness insisted that it appeared to be a gunshot wound since he was familiar with such injuries.
When further questioned, Lance Corporal Major agreed with counsel that there was a circular open wound on Clementson from which blood was oozing. He told counsel that the area from which Clementson was retrieved was dark and that the trench was overgrown with bushes.
Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh later revealed the findings of a post mortem examination that he had performed on July 29, 2015.
During cross examination by Attorney-at-law, Mark Waldron, the Pathologist disclosed that he did not find any gunshot wounds on the remains of Clementson neither was there any foreign particle, such as a projectile, lodged in the body.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Deeply concerned about political dysfunction in society
Dear Editor The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is deeply concerned about the political dysfunction in society that is... more
Haiti: Tragically Descending into Deeper Crisis
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- As gang violence spirals out of control in Haiti, the limitations of international... more
Weekend Cartoon
