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‘Pastor’ freed of 2021 murder of Linden man
(Kaieteur News) – A 30-year-old man accused of the execution-style killing of 23-year-old Delroy McKenzie in 2021 was on Monday acquitted after a 12-member jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.
The decision was delivered at the Demerara High Court before Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh. The accused, Samorea Mitchell, also known as “Pastor,” of Lot 716 Phase 1B, Wisroc, Linden, had been charged with the murder of McKenzie and the attempted murder of Calvin Daly. Prosecutors alleged that Mitchell fatally shot McKenzie and seriously wounded Daly during a suspected gang-related ambush on Sunflower Street, Wismar, Linden.
Freed man; Samorea Mitchell
According to evidence presented at trial, the shooting occurred shortly after 21:00 hrs. on July 17, 2021. McKenzie had travelled to Linden earlier that day with his friend Calvin Daly to meet a woman. Daly told police that during a phone conversation, the woman directed McKenzie to Sunflower Street and later informed him that a silver-grey wagon would be sent to pick them up.
When the vehicle arrived and the two men approached it, a gunman reportedly emerged from the back seat and opened fire. McKenzie was struck nine times and died at the scene, while Daly survived after sustaining two gunshot wounds in one arm.
During the trial, prosecutors told the court that Mitchell and others first planned to confront a rival gang at a barbecue, but once the plan was exposed, a counter-setup was arranged. The State alleged that McKenzie was lured to the area under the guise of discussing the planned attack before gunmen inside a waiting vehicle opened fire.
Dead; Delroy McKenzie
Investigators testified that dozens of spent shells and ammunition fragments were recovered from the scene, and ballistic analysis suggested that more than one firearm was used. The prosecution further claimed that the vehicle involved in the shooting was stolen in Georgetown, subsequently abandoned, and later destroyed by fire.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that McKenzie died from haemorrhage and shock due to multiple gunshot wounds, with significant internal bleeding. In early August 2021, the Guyana Police Force issued a wanted bulletin for Mitchell, identifying him as the prime suspect. He was arrested on September 3, 2021 after surrendering himself to the police in the company of his attorney. After the evidence was outlined to the jury, a not guilty verdict was returned, and Mitchell was freed of the charges.
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