Shopkeeper Zamal Samuels was yesterday found not guilty of manslaughter in connection with the death of Aaron Conyers, following a trial before Justice Peter Hugh at the High Court in Demerara.
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, with 10 jurors finding Samuels not guilty and two finding him guilty.
The prosecution’s case was that Conyers had been drinking at Samuels’ shop at Black Water Village, North West District with other persons when an argument developed between the two men.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, Samuels initially approached Conyers after the argument and was the first to make physical contact, pushing him. Conyers reportedly struck the back of his head against a wooden 2×4 post in the shop.
The court heard that Conyers subsequently walked away from the area stumbling and eventually sat near a lantern post while continuing to curse at Samuels.
Samuels later approached Conyers again, and during another confrontation, he allegedly cuffed him, causing him to fall backwards and strike his head a second time.
Conyers was later taken home by relatives and left overnight. The following morning, when it was discovered that he was unresponsive, medical personnel were contacted and he was taken to the Mabaruma District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The medical evidence indicated that Conyers died from a subdural haematoma caused by blunt-force trauma to the head.
During the investigation, Samuels reportedly gave police an oral admission in which he acknowledged what had occurred. He also participated in a video interview and a walkthrough of the scene with investigators, explaining his actions. The court further heard that he gave sworn evidence in which he admitted to the physical confrontation.
Several eyewitnesses also testified during the trial.
Samuels’ defence was self-defence. However, during cross-examination, he reportedly acknowledged that at the time he struck Conyers, he was not under immediate attack or in immediate danger.
Despite the evidence presented by the prosecution, the jury ultimately returned a not guilty verdict, bringing the manslaughter case against Samuels to an end.
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