‘Son’ found not guilty of murdering Army Lieutenant

After spending the last three years on remand, Komal Matthews known as ‘Son’ was on Thursday freed of the 2018 murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Mark Bagot.

Matthews, 30, of Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Berbice High Court.

A 12-member jury, on Thursday afternoon, found Matthews not guilty of the capital offence after deliberating for over two hours.

Bagot was fatally stabbed between December 30 and 31, 2018, at Philippi Farm, Corentyne. Matthews, however, denied committing the crime.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin, while evidence was led by State Prosecutor Nafeeza Baig.

According to reports, the GDF officer was on holiday visiting family at Phillipi Village when he was stabbed following an argument at a shop in the village at around 20:00hrs on the day in question.

It is alleged that Lieutenant Bagot ordered a ‘round’ of drinks but the accused insisted on paying for his own but. The News Room had reported that this led to an argument between the two when Bagot’s cousin intervened and tried to quell the matter.

However, it is alleged the accused whipped out a knife and stabbed Lieutenant Bagot in the region of his chest.

Bagot was rushed to the Port Mourant hospital but was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Matthews was later arrested but maintained that he did not kill Bagot.