JUSTICE Roxanne George on Wednesday upheld a no case submission and ordered the mixed jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of Mark Esteem Massiah, called Red Man, who was indicted with the murder of Ian Adonis, called Saffo, at Hosanna Street, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, on August 29, 2007. Earlier, the judge told the jury, that on considering the legal submissions by the attorneys, it was her opinion that the now freed man did not have a case to answer.
Reflecting on the evidence, the judge noted that Massiah acted in self defence. The deceased kept attacking him with a knife. Massiah was seated outside a snackette at Rosignol Stelling when Saffo demanded money from him, while placing a knife to his chest.
After several threats, a report was made to a police standing nearby, but Saffo cursed the officer and continued to pursue Massaih. Another man approached Saffo, but the latter, on seeing Red Man, turned again on him with a black handled knife in his hand.
According to the caution statement attributed to Massiah, after he was attacked, he picked up a piece of wood and lashed him on his head. He had a knife in his hand.
Meanwhile, co-accused Sean Benjamin   is expected to return to the Berbice Assizes where his matter is ongoing.
Benjamin’s caution statement was thrown out following submissions by his lawyer Raymond Ali.
Massiah was represented by Charrandas Persaud.