Witnesses absent, murder accused freed

A MAN charged with murder was freed yesterday when two State witnesses failed to show in court to testify.

Aldwyn Reno, 49, who was charged with murdering  Marcel Ash, on February 3, 2001, at Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain, was ordered free by Justice Herbert Volney. The two witnesses who had failed to show in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court, were Sharon De Peza, girlfriend of the deceased, and Delano Williams. Last week a warrant was issued for De Peza but she could not be found, and three subpoenas were issued to Williams but he too, failed to attend court.

In the circumstances, State prosecutor Althea Alexis, told the Court yesterday she was not offering any further evidence in the matter. After ordering the jury to return a not guilty verdict in favour of Reno, Justice Volney asked defence attorneys Joan Charles and Ryan Cameron, and  prosecutor Alexis, whether anything could be done about the witnesses who refused to come to court, even though the matter was  concluded. Attorneys were of the view that nothing could be done in the circumstances. Ash, a fisherman of Las Cuevas, died after a fight with Reno. It was alleged that Reno hit Ash on the head with a piece of wood.There was also evidence that De Peza, who was beating Reno with a piece of wood during the fight, also hit the deceased.