Man pleads not guilty in Linden gang-linked murder

Samorea Mitchell on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23-year-old Delroy Anthony McKenzie when he was arraigned before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George at the Demerara High Court.
Mitchell is accused of orchestrating the July 17, 2021 killing of McKenzie at Sunflower Street, Wismar, Linden, during what the prosecution described as a calculated ambush linked to gang rivalry.
According to the prosecution, led by State Counsel Christopher Belfield, assisted by State Counsel Geneva, the accused, along with the deceased and other associates, had initially planned to launch an attack on the MOB Gang during a barbecue event in Linden on the day in question.
However, the State contends that Mitchell secretly disclosed the plan to a member of the MOB Gang. As a result, it is alleged that Mitchell and members of the gang devised a counter-plan to lure McKenzie to Sunflower Street, Linden, under the pretence of meeting to discuss and execute the original attack.
Prosecutors allege that when McKenzie arrived in Linden, Mitchell directed him to Sunflower Street, where he and four other individuals were waiting in a car. When McKenzie approached the vehicle accompanied by his friend, Calvin Daly, the occupants of the car opened fire, fatally wounding McKenzie and injuring Daly.
A post-mortem examination later revealed that McKenzie died from nine gunshot wounds to his body, with bullets travelling from back to front. 27 spent shells and two 9mm bullets were recovered from the scene. Ballistic examinations reportedly showed that at least two separate firearms were used in the execution.
The State further alleged that the vehicle used in the attack had been stolen from Georgetown and later abandoned at Kuru Kuru Junction. Mitchell allegedly asked a friend to collect the vehicle and transport it to Linden, claiming that his driver’s licence was invalid and that he intended to use the car for taxi work.

Prosecutors said the vehicle was subsequently used in the killing and was later burnt and abandoned at Linden’s Blue Lake one day after the shooting.
Following the incident, Mitchell allegedly fled to Mahdia with a friend on July 18, 2021, before later returning to Linden. Despite knowing that he was wanted by Police, the prosecution said he remained in hiding until September 3, 2021, when he turned himself in at the Mackenzie Police Station in the presence of his attorney.
The court was told that several video-recorded interviews and confrontations were conducted with Mitchell and other suspects, during which he denied any involvement in the murder. However, on September 7, 2021, Mitchell reportedly told investigators that he wanted to “tell the truth” off camera, claiming that the other suspects were distancing themselves and leaving him to face responsibility alone.
Police subsequently took a caution statement from Mitchell, in which he allegedly provided a detailed account of the events surrounding the killing. The prosecution said that although the statement was properly recorded, Mitchell later refused to sign it, expressing fear that he would be labelled a “snitch” by the MOB Gang and that his life would be in danger.
However, Mitchell is disputing the prosecution’s claims and has denied ever admitting to the allegations or giving any confession to Police.
McKenzie’s post-mortem examination, conducted by forensic pathologist Dr Nehaul P Singh on July 19, 2021, confirmed that the young man sustained nine gunshot wounds to his arms, chest, abdomen and head. The examination revealed extensive internal bleeding, with approximately 2000 cubic centimetres of blood found in both the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Dr Singh concluded that McKenzie died from haemorrhage and shock due to multiple gunshot injuries.
The matter was adjourned to today.