Murder accused to face new trial following ‘hung’ jury

Rochino Maison will have to face a new trial for allegedly murdering 36-year-old Keno Griffith as a 12-member jury could not arrive at a verdict after two hours of deliberation.

As a result of this development, he was further remanded to prison by the presiding judge, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall. He will be retried at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Maison, 26, formerly of Kara Kara Mackenzie, Linden is indicted for the murder of Griffith, who was chopped while trying to save a woman who was being harassed by Maison.

The incident occurred on July 26, 2021. Maison had allegedly grabbed the woman’s breast and she spat on him; he reportedly became incensed and threw a bucket of water on the woman.

Griffith tried to help the woman, but Maison reportedly grabbed a cutlass and chopped Griffith to the arm and head. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries on August 20, 2021.

According to a post-mortem report, Griffith died from cirrhosis, hemorrhage and shock due to a chop wound on his arm.

Maison was represented by attorney-at-law Domnick Bess while State Counsel Caressa Henry and State Counsel Delon Fraser were the prosecutors.

This is not Maison’s first encounter with the law. In 2015, he faced charges related to the murder of Rural Constable Andre Britton. Britton, a father of five, lost his life on January 1, 2015, in Mahdia.

Maison initially faced a murder charge but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with Britton’s death. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Following his release, Maison now finds himself embroiled in the murder of Griffith.