1 guilty, 3 freed in Sophia murder trial

A mixed verdict was delivered on Tuesday night in the High Court trial over the killing of 25-year-old Keon McPherson, with one defendant found guilty while three others were acquitted. The jury returned its decision around 20:30h before Justice Gino Persaud at the Demerara High Court.

Devon Harry was found guilty of murder, while his co-accused, Nicholas Hercules, Brenna Nurse and Peter Lam, were all found not guilty and discharged.
McPherson, of ‘D’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was found dead in a yard at C’ Field, Sophia, with multiple gunshot wounds about his body in August 2021.
Following the verdict, Justice Persaud ordered that a probation report be prepared on Harry ahead of sentencing.
The court was told that the report is expected to be completed by May 6, with May 19 set for sentencing.
During the trial, the court heard evidence from Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, who said McPherson sustained two gunshot wounds and several lacerations. Police witnesses also described the scene at C’ Field, Sophia, where investigators said they found a disturbed section of the yard and what appeared to be a toy gun. McPherson’s sister also testified.
Based on reports in 2021, the now dead man was in a triangular love affair with a female of C Field Sophia who was also intimate with another male of Broad and Lombard Streets, Georgetown.
The now dead man’s brother, had reportedly told investigators that his brother left home at about 23:50h on August 14 to go to his lover’s house.
However, at about 04:00h on August 15, a female reportedly contacted the Command Centre of the Guyana Police Force and reported that the victim was seen lying motionlessly with what appears to be blood on his body.
As a result, several ranks went to the scene where upon inspection they realised that the man was shot to his left side chest and once to his right hand.
He was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other two lovers were arrested and later charges were implement on Nicholas Hercules called “Bucko”, Brenna Nurse, Devon Harry, and Peter Lam.
The State was represented by Preeneta Seeraj, Abiola Lowe and Mtomika Lumumba.
Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva, who was assisted by Shemar Parkinson, represented Brenna Nurse during the trial.