Taxi driver cleared of rape charge

Kalvin Murray, a taxi driver of Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was facing a rape charge, was set free on Monday by the Demerara High Court.

Murray, 33, was on trial for rape of a 14-year-old schoolgirl. The prosecution alleged that Murray on February 3, 2018, took the child to Mahaica beach where he inserted his fingers into her.

When the matter was called on Monday before Justice Simone Morris- Ramlall, and a mixed 12- member jury, the complainant, who is now an adult, refused to give evidence against Murray.

Following this course of action, the Judge upheld the no-case submission made by Murray’s lawyer Kevin Morgan and directed the jurors to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

In a statement, Murray’s lawyer said: “Murray had professed his innocence in the Magistrate Court during committal proceedings conducted by Magistrate Wanda Fortune back in 2018. He continued to do so, and pointed out that the child was being forced to make the allegations against him.”

State Counsel Rbina Christmas and State Counsel Marisa Edwards prosecuted the matter.