With a jury unable to arrive at a verdict in the case against him for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl, former police officer Enfield Price was able to walk out of the Georgetown Sexual Offences Court as a free man yesterday afternoon.
Presiding Judge Jo-Ann Barlow, did, however, caution him that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would have to inform him of the way forward regarding whether the state would be pursuing a new trial.
After some hours of deliberation, the foreman of the 12-member panel reported to the court that the jury was deadlocked 12 to 2 and unable to arrive at a verdict.
Enfield had been charged with the offence of rape-of-a-child under 16 years. It was alleged that he raped the teen on January 23rd, 2015 at Sophia, Georgetown.
The prosecution’s facts are that on the day in question the virtual complainant (VC) was in the company of her school friend, who called a taxi for them to go to that friend’s home in Sophia.
Instead of going to the friend’s house, however, the taxi driver took the two teens to Enfield’s Sophia home.
According to the facts related to the court, after arriving at the former cop’s house, both he and the taxi driver took the VC into a bedroom where Enfield is alleged to have raped her.
The court was told that a few minutes after, the police and welfare officers swooped-down up on the residence and removed both girls.
The court had heard that Enfield verbally abused the officials before leaving his home on a motorcycle belonging to the Guyana Police Force.
The state’s case was led by Prosecutor Nafeeza Baig, in association with Prosecutor Sarah Martin.
Prince was represented by attorney Latchmie Rahamat.
The trial proceedings were held in-camera.
