Man found not guilty of fatally stabbing friend during argument

A 12-member jury on Tuesday found 29-year-old Levoy LaCruz called ‘Jagan’ not guilty of a manslaughter charge.

LaCruz, of Lower Pomeroon River, was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Suddie High Court for fatally stabbing his drinking buddy, Rafael Orin Danns during an argument on September 8, 2014, in the county of Essequibo.

The State was represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken while LaCruz was represented by attorney-at-law Latchmi Dindayal.

The jury, after deliberating for over two hours on Tuesday afternoon, returned with a unanimous not guilty verdict.

According to reports, on the day in question at around 22:00 hrs. Danns and LaCruz were drinking at a shop at Marlborough, in the Lower Pomeroon, during which an argument ensued.

It is alleged that LaCruz armed himself with a knife and stabbed Danns in the chest. Danns was rushed to the Charity Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

However, LaCruz claimed that he acted in self-defence because he was being attacked by Danns.