La Horquetta chef freed of arson

HIGH COURT Judge Anthony Carmona yesterday advised La Horquetta chef Ryan Fraser to be civic minded, and to walk on the right path, after a nine-member jury returned a not guilty verdict in Fraser’s favour. The not guilty verdict freed Fraser of an arson charge, where it was alleged that he burnt down a house at Chin Chin Road in Cunupia on May 8, 1998, which was owned by his cousins’ grandfather, Kenville Marcano.

The jury, comprising of seven men and two women, retired about 2.10 pm, to deliberate the evidence presented to them  after taking directions on the law from Justice Carmona. They deliberated for just under half an hour and returned with the not guilty verdict. Following the verdict, Justice Carmona told Fraser that “sometimes doors open in life, allowing people to move on in a positive way with their families and friends. “Be civic minded and try to make this chance worthwhile, by continuing to walk along the right path.”

Justice Carmona then informed Fraser that he was free to go. The judge thanked the attorneys for the civil manner in which they — (State and defence) — presented their cases during the trial, and commended defence attorney Aden Stroude for the way he conducted the defence case.
The judge also extended his gratitude to the members of the jury for doing their civic duty and providing their assistance to the court. After the verdict, Fraser told Newsday that he was very happy to be freed of the charges. He explained that he was going to try to move on with his life and noted that it was good to be freed from the charges hanging over his head.