Ex-cop freed of Kitty bar killing due to insufficient evidence

Former Policeman Keenon David has been acquitted of the murder of Kurt Anthony Duncan, who was fatally shot at Seeta’s Bar, Kitty, in July 2019, after the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts ruled there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Magistrate Annette Singh at the close of the prosecution’s case, following a no-case submission filed by Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon. The decision brings to an end proceedings that began over four years ago.
David, who had been at large for nearly four years, was arrested in January 2024 at Soesdyke Back Road, Timehri, reportedly while playing cards, and subsequently remanded to prison pending the preliminary inquiry.
The prosecution’s case relied primarily on a single eyewitness who had been with Duncan on the night of the incident, along with CCTV footage from five cameras at the bar. During cross-examination, the witness’s account was challenged on multiple fronts, with Dhurjon highlighting inconsistencies, contradictions, and credibility issues.

The Attorney further argued that the CCTV footage was inconclusive, failing to definitively identify David as the shooter.
In ruling on the matter, Magistrate Singh agreed that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case, noting that the question of identification “loomed large” and that the available evidence was insufficient to require David to enter a defence. She dismissed the murder charge and discharged the former officer.
“I thank the court for its patience and commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law,” David expressed after the ruling.
Police had reported that on the day in question, the bar was in the process of closing when a scuffle ensued between a woman and the man who was cleaning the floor. Duncan reportedly tried to intervene in the scuffle when he was shot by the suspect who was seated nearby.
Police said the suspect “allegedly whipped out a firearm and shot (Duncan) in the region of his chest”.
Duncan was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and was pronounced dead on arrival.