Man acquitted of murder, attempted murder over lack of evidence

Shawn George was acquitted on Thursday of the murder of Michael Scott and the attempted murder of Jimmy Thomas, after Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh ruled that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. The matter was heard at the High Court in Demerara.
George, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Glendon Greenidge, had pleaded not guilty to both charges when he was arraigned. State Prosecutors Christopher Belfield, Simran Gajraj, and Geneva Wills had contended that George, in the company of others, shot and chopped Scott to death in Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD), sometime between May 24 and 29, 2023. The prosecution further alleged that during the same period, George also attempted to murder Thomas, who sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen shortly after Scott was attacked.
However, after reviewing the evidence, the Chief Justice upheld a no-case submission filed by the defence, finding that the prosecution did not satisfy the necessary burden of proof. He then directed the 12-member jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty on both counts.
As a result, George was discharged and released from custody.