Two brothers, accused of murdering Brazilian gold miner, freed

Two brothers, who were on trial for the 2016 murder of Brazilian gold miner Nandinho De Costa Souza were on Monday acquitted of the charge following a not guilty verdict by a jury.

Phillip Williams and Fidel William were on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury at the Suddie High Court for the February 9, 2016, murder of Souza, who was found with his throat slit at his Fish Creek, Cuyuni River campsite.

The State was represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken while Lowchee was represented by attorney-at-law Lachmi Dindayal. The jury, after deliberating for two hours on Monday afternoon, returned with a unanimous not guilty verdict against the duo.

According to reports, Sousa, called “Vandam” of Boa Vista, Brazil, was found with his throat slit in his mining camp.

The body was found next to a sluice box, and a quantity of gold was missing. The victim, who reportedly owned two land dredges, was reportedly last seen washing down the sluice box with one of the men suspected of killing him.