A teenager accused of firing shots at one man and robbing another on the same day was on Friday found not guilty of both of the charges. Liston Marcus, 19, initially appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in May slapped with two charges; his first charge alleged that he, on April 29 at West Ruimveldt, discharged a loaded firearm at Kurt Brown with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm on Brown.
According to his second charge, on the same day and also in West Ruimveldt, Marcus robbed Calvin Daniel of a $160,000 gold band while being armed with a gun.
According to Prosecutor Michael Grant, on the date in question Brown had been liming with some friends when he was confronted by Marcus and an unknown man. Marcus and this man, it is said, pointed a gun at Brown’s head and proceeded to relieve him of his gold band. A scuffle quickly ensued between Marcus and Brown during which bullets were fired and hit Brown on his wrist.
Marcus, the police said, attempted to escape but his plan was foiled after he was caught in the area and arrested.
The teen had pleaded not guilty to both charges. In fact, Marcus had told the court that he had been the victim of an unprovoked act by a mob that accused him of being a thief.
According to Marcus, after he had returned home from work, he was sent by his grandmother to buy bread. The teen related that, while out on the chore, he saw some men approaching him.
He was immediately frightened, he said, and ran into the John Fernandes Container House at Ruimveldt, where he was accosted. Marcus said that it was at this point that he was beaten and called a thief.
Marcus’s trial came to a close on Friday after it was determined by Magistrate Ann McLennan that there was insufficient evidence presented to the court to sentence him to prison.
The news was well-received by a number of his relatives; present family members were visibly overjoyed when the not guilty verdict was handed down and ran out of the courtroom in excitement as they awaited Marcus.
