Ex-cop freed of murdering Melanie man

A former Policeman accused of murder was freed on Wednesday after a Judge upheld a no-case submission made by his Attorney-at-Law.

Dennis Andrews left the Demerara High Court a free man after Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry upheld a no-case submission made by his attorneys, Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt.

Andrews was accused of murdering Charles Peters, 36, who died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on July 26, 2017, one day after he was shot by the Police.

Charles, a father of two, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was observed by a Police patrol running on the Clonbrook Public Road, ECD acting in a suspicious manner, reports state.

As a result, he was stopped and challenged and it is alleged that he attacked a Police rank, resulting in him being shot. 

Reports indicate that the now dead man was mentally ill.

Andrews’s trial began on Monday and a number of witnesses were called to the stand by the State prosecutors to give evidence. 

When the State closed its case, Andrews’ attorneys told the court that there was no case against their client.

Following the no-case submission, which she upheld, Judge Sewnarine-Beharry directed the mixed 12-member jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused.

Accordingly, the Judge discharged Andrews and informed him that he was free to go.