Fyzabad man freed of murder charge

After spending almost a decade on remand, a man from Fyzabad has been freed of murdering his neighbour.

It took a 12-member jury before Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds less than two hours on Wednesday to return with a unanimous not-guilty verdict for Makesi Felix.

Felix was accused of murdering Rodney Gloud at his Delhi Road, Fyzabad home on April 29, 2015.

Gloud was with a friend and his older brother Allister in their yard when a gunman entered the front gate.

The gunman reportedly attempted to pull a modified knitted beanie hat with two eyeholes over his face as he entered the property but dropped it as he ran towards Gloud.

Gloud’s brother, a former soldier, pushed his girlfriend inside their apartment, as the gunman shot his brother several times with a revolver before running away.

Gloud was taken to Siparia District Health Facility where he died while receiving emergency treatment.

Felix was identified by Gloud’s brother and his mother Brenda, who was sitting in the upstairs verandah of their house at the time of the shooting.

They both claimed that they had known Felix for over a decade before the shooting as he lived a short distance from them. Gloud’s brother also claimed that Felix used to play draughts with him and his brother in the past.

While his brother testified during the trial, his mother died before and her witness statements given to the police were read into evidence.

In defence of the case, Felix, through his lawyers Michelle Ali and Shaun Morris, of the Public Defenders’ Department (PDD), claimed that he was framed by Gloud’s relatives.

They also pointed to numerous inconsistencies in the evidence given by the relatives. Felix also denied that his alias was “Kid” as alleged.

The case was prosecuted by Charmaine Samuel and Gilliana Guy. —Derek Achong

The post Fyzabad man freed of murder charge first appeared on CNC3.