The trial of Shamar Harvey, accused of the 2019 murder of Albouystown teen Christopher Mansfield, has been halted due to concerns over Harvey’s mental fitness to stand trial. During a court session on Wednesday before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court, Harvey was observed talking to himself and appeared visibly agitated, raising doubts about his readiness for trial.
Justice Kissoon subsequently aborted the trial, pending a medical evaluation to determine whether Harvey is mentally fit to proceed.
The case will remain on hold until then. Harvey, 23, was charged with the murder of 18-year-old Mansfield, who was fatally shot on March 31, 2019, while walking to a football field in West La Penitence. According to residents, the shooting took place near Nonpareil Street, Albouystown, and Mansfield collapsed on the street after being hit. Local residents provided assistance, but Mansfield succumbed to his injuries. Vanessa Mansfield, the victim’s aunt, reported that her nephew had been targeted with three gunshots, although she only observed a single gunshot wound to his chest.
In 2021 Harvey had been committed to stand trial at the High Court after Senior Magistrate Leron Daly found sufficient evidence during the Preliminary Inquiry.
