After being behind bars for over six years, two men were freed of the 2016 murder of Gafoor’s manager Terry Lackhan after Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall upheld a no-case submission on the grounds of lack of evidence.
David Outar, 27, formerly of First Street, Herstelling and Patrick Ross, 29, formerly of Foulis, East Coast Demerara were on trial at the Demerara High Court.
The duo had denied that on July 21, 2016, they murdered Lackhan during the course or furtherance of a robbery.
The men were represented by attorneys Stacy Goodings and Adrian Thompson. Evidence was led by State counsels Muntaz Ali and Simran Gajraj.
During the trial, one of the crucial eyewitnesses in the case, Beyoncé, walked out of the courtroom and did not return.
This resulted in her evidence not being credible.
The men’s attorney submitted that the defence had no case to answer. The attorneys contended that the prosecutors failed to establish a case against their clients.
Justice Morris-Ramlall agreed with the submissions of the defence and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty and acquitted the men.
The body of the 55-year-old Gafsons Industries Limited’s manager was discovered by a neighbour shortly after a male was seen exiting the house with several bags.
He was found motionless next to a wardrobe around 23:00hrs with a length of rope tied around his neck, while several bottles of tablets and photographs of his family members lay nearby.
Police later arrested Outar and Ross following an investigation.
