Jury clears Linden man of 2021 murder

March 10 2026

Thirty-year-old Samorea Mitchell walked free after a 12-member jury unanimously found him not guilty of the 2021 murder of Delroy Anthony McKenzie.

Mitchell of Linden, Region 10, had been accused of arranging the fatal shooting of the 23-year-old during what prosecutors described as a gang-related ambush in Linden.

The case was heard before Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara.

Mitchell was represented by defence counsel, while the prosecution’s case was led by attorney-at-law Christopher Belfield, assisted by attorney-at-law Geneva Wills.

The charge arose from the July 17, 2021, shooting on Sunflower Street, Wismar, which left McKenzie dead and another man injured.

The prosecution alleged that Mitchell and others had initially planned to confront members of a rival gang at a barbecue, but that the plan was later exposed, leading to a counter-setup.

According to the State, McKenzie was allegedly lured to the area under the pretext of discussing the attack. When he arrived with a friend, Calvin Daly, gunmen inside a waiting vehicle reportedly opened fire. McKenzie was killed, while Daly sustained injuries.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that McKenzie was struck by nine gunshots, with investigators recovering dozens of spent shells and ammunition fragments at the scene.

Ballistic tests suggested that more than one firearm had been used.

Prosecutors also told the court that the vehicle involved in the shooting had been stolen in Georgetown, later abandoned, and eventually set on fire near Blue Lake.

Mitchell was further accused of leaving Linden shortly after the incident and travelling to Mahdia before later returning. The State contended that he remained out of sight until surrendering to police weeks later with his attorney.

During the investigation, police conducted multiple interviews and confrontations with Mitchell. While he denied involvement, the prosecution claimed he later provided an off-camera account of events but refused to sign a written statement.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that McKenzie died from haemorrhage and shock caused by multiple gunshot wounds, with significant internal bleeding recorded.

Despite the prosecution’s evidence, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict, ending the matter nearly five years after the killing. Mitchell was subsequently discharged and released.