A Corentyne man was freed of a 2019 murder this week after a no-case submission was upheld by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Berbice.
In December, 2019, Rickford Thomas, of Fyrish Village, Corentyne, was charged with murdering Carlos Williams on December 25th.
Thomas was on trial at the High Court in Berbice before a 12-member jury after he pleaded not guilty to the crime.
The state was represented by attorney at law, Nafeeza Baig.
On Thursday, defence attorney Surihya Sabsook presented a no-case submission arguing that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its case against Thomas.
Justice Singh then agreed with the submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.
Williams also known as `Tony’, 30, a driver of Lot 267 Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, his wife, Charlene Harry and her friend, Paul Grant, 28, of Lot 121 New Housing Scheme Plaisance, East Coast Demerara were at a club located at Portuguese Quar-ters Public Road when the incident transpired around 3.15 am.
Harry had stated that she and Williams were exiting the club when he saw a relative of his on the parapet and began speaking to her. Stabroek News was told that the accused was reportedly dating a relative of the deceased. After Williams exited the club and saw his relative and spoke to her, it supposedly annoyed the accused.
According to Harry, she then saw the accused and Williams scuffle after a brief exchange of words. She attempted to intervene but sustained a stab to her left thigh from the suspect while Grant also attempted to intervene and was lashed in his jaw.
It was then claimed that the accused allegedly stabbed Williams in his abdomen with a broken bottle and fled the scene.
However, during the case it was argued that Williams was the aggressor. It was noted, that the accused tried to leave the fight by walking out of the club, but Williams followed him and the scuffle ensued during which Williams was stabbed.
It was also noted, that even after being injured Williams attempted to run after Thomas.
