Accused in murder of GWI worker freed.

–after key witnesses refused to testify, could not be located.

An East La Penitence, Georgetown man was on Thursday freed of a charge which accused him of murdering another man after a no-case submission was upheld by the Demerara High Court.

Twenty-four-year-old Matthew Parks had pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that he murdered Roger Allen on September 13, 2018 at D’Urban and Chapel Streets, Georgetown.

He was on trial for the capital offence before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a mixed 12-member jury. 

Following the close of the prosecution’s case on Thursday, Parks’ lawyer Damien DaSilva presented a no-case submission on his client’s behalf which was upheld by the trial Judge.

A no case submission is made when the defence considers that the prosecution case, taken at its highest, does not support a finding of guilt and that the court should dismiss the charge without the defence having to present a case.

Dead-Roger Allen

This publication was reliably informed that the prosecution’s main witness, someone who witnessed a fight between the pair, refused to testify and could not be located after cutting off contact with the State.

The prosecution was also unable to find other key witnesses, while others refused to testify. As such, the prosecution had no evidence to rebut Parks’ claim that he acted in self defence.

The prosecution was led by State Counsel Cicelia Corbin.

According to reports, 23-year-old Allen of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown sustained two stab wounds about his body during a scuffle with Parks.

Both men were subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Allen, who was at the time employed with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), underwent emergency surgery. 

He subsequently died. Parks also sustained injuries.