By George Barclay

FREED manslaughter accused Seelall Pharbu who was found not guilty by the jury yesterday in the 2011 unlawful shooting death of Premaul Rampersaud was advised by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow to watch his steps in future.Pharbu who was on a rum spree in 2011 was said to have imbibed so much alcohol with his younger companions that he had to hand over his car to another driver.
According to witnesses he got into trouble that day when he shot and killed Premaul Rampersaud, a member of the drinking party.
However, Pharbu, a licensed firearm owner, had his own story. He said that he was cleaning his weapon when his finger accidentally touched the trigger, causing the weapon to go off.
But the State case led by Prosecutrix Miss Shonette Austin had another story. She called witnesses who testified that Rampersaud was shot twice and declared that the killing could not be an accident but the act of a person who had an intention to kill.
The accused, however, was able to convince the jury that his story was true or doubt was created in their minds.
After two hours of deliberation the jury returned to the courtroom for further directions on double-action and accidental shooting. About 30 minutes later the jury returned with a unanimous verdict of not guilty.
The presiding judge thanked the jury for their verdict and before discharging the accused she cautioned him to be more careful in the future and urged him to take advantage of the opportunity given him.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Glen Hanoman along with Miss Tanicia Daniels appeared for the accused.