BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A 12-member jury found Bryan Murray of Old Road, not guilty of grievous bodily harm on Thursday (Mar. 6).
Murray stood trial this week for the stabbing of the then 17-year-old Albert Millington Jr., an incident which took place shortly before midnight on February 12, 2011.
The trial began on Monday (Mar. 3) with Counsel O'Neil Simpson leading the prosecution while Attorney Chesley Hamilton representing Murray.
The prosecution called five witnesses to make its case but was unsuccessful in proving that on the night in question, Murray stabbed Millington Jr. in on the Island Main Road in Verchilds Village before fleeing the scene with friends.
The jury obviously believed the defence’s version of the events which was that Millington Jr. was stabbed during a brawl which he started.
Millington Jr., in his testimony, told the Court he was stabbed by Murray.
He also testified that he was "rushed" by the accused earlier that night while at the event and that Murray also hit him with a stone while he was walking down the road to catch a bus.
Also providing testimony was Dr. Cameron Wilkinson who told the Court that Millington's stab wound was not life threatening.
He said Millington received a two centimetre non-penetrating laceration in the lower abdomen.
He testified that Millington's wound was cleaned and treated and he was placed on the Surgical Ward of the Joseph N. France General Hospital. He also told the Court that Millington was discharged two days later on February 12, 2011.
During cross-examination Dr. Wilkinson was asked if he was certain of Millington's discharge date and he replied that it is what is recorded on his medical chart.
The victim's father, Albert Millington Sr., also testified and told the Court that he feared he might have lost his son when he saw him lying in the hospital bed with what appeared to be blood coming from his abdomen.
After the prosecution closed its case, the defendant chose not to testify and no witnesses were called on his behalf to give evidence.
Following closing arguments and the judge's summation, the jury retired for deliberation and brought back a not guilty verdict.
