Lindener Rochino Maison now faces a retrial after a jury was unable to arrive at a verdict in the case against him for the alleged 2021 murder of 36-year-old labourer Keno Griffith.
Following hours of deliberations on Monday, the 12-member panel indicated that it could not reach a consensus regarding whether Maison was guilty or not.
In the circumstances, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall who conducted the trial, has had to declare a mistrial.
She informed the accused that he would be further remanded to prison to await a new trial, the date for which he would be notified by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The accused was represented by defence attorney Domnick Bess. The State meanwhile, was represented by prosecutors Caressa Henry, Madan Rampersaud and Delon Fraser.
Background
Maison of Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, was charged with murdering Griffith known as `Tuckey,’ on August 5th, 2021 at Kara Kara.
Reports are that Griffith was chopped in his head and arm after he tried to rescue a woman from her aggressor.
Police had said that Maison and a female resident of the community had a misunderstanding, during which he squeezed her breasts and she spat on him.
The report said that Maison became annoyed as a result and he threw a bucket of water on her.
Griffith, after witnessing what transpired, went to the woman’s assistance. This resulted in an argument and a scuffle between him and Maison.
It is alleged that Maison then armed himself with a cutlass and allegedly dealt Griffith a chop on one of his arms and one to his head.
Griffith was subsequently taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was admitted as a patient.
Owing to the severity of the injuries he sustained, he was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he subsequently died.
Maison, after leaving the scene, went to the Linden Police Station to report the matter and was arrested.
