The man accused of murdering Samantha Belle in March 2006 will be put on trial a second time during the next session of the Assizes after a hung jury returned to the courtroom, unable to reach a unanimous or near unanimous verdict.
Following more than four hours of deliberation, the mixed jury returned to the courtroom of Madam Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes unable to pronounce Rayburn Harvey guilty or not guilty of murdering the woman.
It is alleged that on March 18, 2006 Harvey fatally shot Belle in the vicinity of the St. Sidwell’s School on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.
During the trial, which started more than a week ago, 7 witnesses testified. Two witnesses were produced by the defence and five by the prosecution.
Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith represented the accused while prosecutors Rhondel Weever and Teshana James presented the state’s case.
Justice Gregory summed up the evidence of the case for the jury yesterday morning. The 12 men and women left the courtroom shortly before 1pm to begin their deliberations. Later, when asked whether they had arrived at the verdict the jury indicated that they had not.
The judge reminded the jury that they had earlier indicated that they did not need any more time to arrive at a decision
