Sylvester Vanderhyden, a mason of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was on Wednesday acquitted of the 2008 robbery/murder of 27-year-old Melissa Payne.
Dead: Melissa Payne
The 38-year-old was freed of the crime after a 12-member jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty. He had been on trial for the offence before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the High Court in Demerara.
Vanderhyden, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law George Thomas, had initially denied the indictment, which alleged that he murdered the woman on November 6, 2008 during the course/furtherance of a robbery. The case for the prosecution was led by Senior State Counsel Lisa Cave.
Acquitted: Sylvester Vanderhyden
Vanderhyden was only charged with the woman’s murder in May 2017. According to reports, Payne, of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD), and her common-law husband were heading to Georgetown to transact business when the vehicle in which they were travelling encountered mechanical problems at Agricola, Greater Georgetown. As such, they exited the Canter truck and were later accosted by several armed men, who relieved them of a bag containing some $110,000 in cash along with a quantity of jewellery. It was after Payne exhibited reluctance to hand over her handbag that she was shot by one of the perpetrators. The men then made good their escape.
Jailed: Jermaine Savory
The bleeding woman was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Soon after the incident, several men were arrested.
In November 2017, Jermaine Savory of Agricola was found guilty of Payne’s murder and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment following a trial before now-retired Judge James Bovell-Drakes at the Demerara High Court.
