“Spleen” acquitted of taxi driver’s murder

Meadow Bank, Greater Georgetown resident Howard Rambarose has been acquitted of the August 1, 2016 murder of Orin “Malik” David, who was gunned down in front of his Laing Avenue, Georgetown home. Rambarose called “Spleen” and his co-accused, Jermaine Jefford called “Smokey”, were on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury for the capital offence.
On Friday, Justice Sandil Kissoon upheld a no-case submission made by Attorney-at-Law George Thomas on behalf of Rambarose. As such, the Judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty, after which he informed Rambarose that he was discharged and free to go.
Jefford, on the other hand, was called on to lead a defence. In an unsworn statement, the murder accused told the court, “On the first of August 2016, I was at home at my Diamond residence with my three-year-old son and my girlfriend…The evidence being led against me is false and fabricated, your worship. I am innocent of this crime. I do not know about this crime…This is unfair to me sir…”
State Counsel Lisa Cave is appearing for the prosecution, while Senior Counsel Stanley Moore is representing Jefford. On Friday, Cave and Moore made closing addresses to the jury. Justice Kissoon will sum up the evidence in this matter on Monday before putting it to the jury for deliberation on a verdict.
According to reports, David was shot dead in front of his Lot 89 Laing Avenue, Georgetown home, in the presence of his reputed wife and relatives. It was reported that David, a father of one, was shot following an argument stemming from the payment of debts. It was reported that David had bailed Jefford out of prison.
However, when he confronted Jefford for the money, a heated argument ensued between them. It is alleged that Jefford left David’s home and returned sometime after with four other men in a motor car. One of the men exited the vehicle and discharged several rounds at David.
The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead. Following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) in 2017, Rambarose and Jefford were committed to stand trial for the offence before a Judge and jury. The Magistrate presiding over the PI had ruled that sufficient evidence had been presented to put them on trial.