Jarrell Duke, 21, was yesterday afternoon cleared of a charge that he raped a six-year-old boy while he was a teenager.
After close to about three hours of deliberations, a 12-member jury returned with its unanimous verdict, acquitting the young man of the offence, which stated that between December 14th and December 18th, 2013, he engaged in sexual penetration of the child. At the time Duke was 14.
While informing him that in light of the jury’s verdict he had been discharged and was, therefore, free to go, Justice Brassington Reynolds cautioned the young man that that was as close to a sentence of life imprisonment as he should ever want to get.
Against this background, the judge informed the former-accused that the offence for which he had been charged is one which attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
While underscoring the weight of the jury’s verdict, Justice Reynolds nonetheless pointed out to Duke that it was only the “good Lord,” he and others involved in the case who really knew what transpired during the period in question.
Referencing evidence presented at trial, the judge described as “strange” the things which occurred at the place where the offence was alleged to have taken place, and expressed the hope that that has since changed.
On that note, the judge recommended that professional counselling be made available to both Duke and all the children involved in the case.
Pointing out to Duke that he has virtually his entire life ahead of him, the judge admonished the young man to use the opportunity to move forward in what he described as a way “that will bring honour and glory to whomever you perceive as your God.”
The judge said he hoped that the experience had been one from which Duke learnt, while expressing the hope that he seeks assistance from the relevant support group(s) so that he never has to find himself before a court again.
The judge told Duke that he clearly seemed to be an intelligent young man and impressed upon him to continue along that path as he seeks to develop himself.
After acknowledging what the judge had to say and expressing his gratitude to the jury, a visibly relieved Duke quickly exited the prisoner’s dock as he made his way out of the courtroom.
Duke was represented by attorney Ravindra Mohabir. Meanwhile, the state was represented by prosecutors Lisa Cave, Seeta Bishundial and Sarah Martin.
The trial proceedings were held in-camera at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Georgetown.
