New trial for 14 year long case

Attorneys for Gary Gould Davies submitted to the jury of nine that the evidence of the State’s witnesses conflicted to such an extent that it ought to raise reasonable doubt in their (the jury) minds. The State contended that Jeff Ramkissoon had gone with friends to hunt manicou along the M2 Ring Road near the intersection between Debe and Woodland, when Davies’ car struck and killed him on the spot in 2003.

The State opened the case before Justice David Harris and in presenting the facts, said that Ramkissoon had gone with friends to M2 Ring Road on the night of August 24, to hunt manicou.

State attorneys Sabrina Dougdeen-Jaglal and Sarah De Silva said that shortly before 11.35 pm, a car driven by Davies, 55, of South Oropouche struck Ramkissoon who was standing on the road speaking to his cousins and their friends.

Dougdeen-Jaglal led evidence from some of the cousins that Davies’ car was travelling at a fast speed.

However, Davies who was represented by attorneys Faraaz Mohammed, Toolsie Ramdhin, Chris Ramlal and Krysta Jalim, testified that the headlights on s parked car on the opposite side of the road, were lit on high beam.

He said that the car appeared to have occupied his side of the road and he swerved to avoid hitting it.

That was when, Davies said, he spotted Ramkissoon on the road and struck him accidentally. Attorney Mohammed submitted to the jury that it was an accidental death however, prosecutor Dougdeen-Jaglal contended that the evidence suggested Davies was speeding.

The jury retired for the mandatory three hours but the foreman announced that the members could not reach a unanimous verdict and they were divided six-three. Seven- two is a majority verdict and is accepted either against or in favour of an accused.

Justice Harris sent back the jury for another hour, but they emerged with the same result and the judge ordered a new tria