With a jury unable to arrive at consensus, Akeem Edwards now faces a retrial over the 2014 murder of fellow inmate Teon Smith, whom he is alleged to have stabbed during an argument at the Mazaruni Prison.
Following hours of deliberations yesterday afternoon, the foreman reported that the panel was deadlocked and hung in a proportion of 11 to 1 in favour of a conviction.
Justice Navindra Singh who presided over the trial at the High Court in Suddie, Essequibo, declared a mistrial and informed Edwards that he would have to remain in custody to await a fresh trial.
Smith, who was 21 years old at the time of his death, had been serving a five-year prison term for a series of armed robberies; while Edwards was at the time serving a four-year sentence.
Reports had been that nearing the end of a recreation break at the penitentiary, the men had an argument during which Smith was stabbed.
Edwards was represented by defence attorney George Thomas.
The state’s case meanwhile, was presented by Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken.
