JUSTICE Navindra Singh yesterday upheld a defence no-case submission by freeing number 2 accused  Latiff Mohamed in the Success Squatting Area  murder case, on the ground that the  Prosecution had failed to  make out a prima facie case against him.
He, however, called on Mohamed’s son Arif for a defence  to the said murder  of  Jairam Balgobin which was allegedly committed on  4th  day  of March, 2008.
Defence counsel Mr. Peter  Hugh, who had made the no-case submissions on behalf of both accused, thanked

the judge for  upholding the submission  in respect of the father.
The son will know his fate today when the jury will be called upon to deliver a verdict as to whether    he is guilty or not guilty of murder.
Both accused were facing trial for the murder of  Jairam Balgobin called  ‘Baker’.
After being  called for a defence, accused Arif Mohamed  proclaimed his innocence in an unsworn statement from the dock.
His lawyer did not  call any witness in support,  and told the judge  that that was the case for the defence.
Defence Counsel Mr. Peter  Hugh and Prosecutor Mrs Konyo Thompson, addressed the jury  yesterday afternoon,  each urging  the jury to  return verdicts in their favour.
This morning the judge will  sum  up the case to the jury after which  he will  hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.
In his statement from the dock, the accused Arif had this to say: “I am innocent of this charge.   On Monday March 4th, 2008 I  went by my sister-in-law where I was  given cherry brandy to drink. I left  her home but returned and continued drinking.
“Me and my wife  had a bitter argument  when I   struck  a post  with a  glass and got my  hand  cut in the  process. I went back to my sister-in- law.    I did not have any talking with anybody else other  than my sister-in-law.    She gave me some food to eat.    I then told  her that I was  going home.  On  my way home,  I saw my father  on the road.  He then asked me  what  happened to my hand.  I told him.   Me and my father  continued  walking home.    The dogs were barking.
“When I reached my  father’s step, I saw  something  looking  like  blood on the bottom of the step.  As  me and my father continue walking  up the steps we saw a man was lying on the floor and we saw something  looking  like  blood on the verandah.
“We  then collected two cutlasses and ran out of the  yard. When we reached on the road  I saw my wife  was coming home.   We then told her what we saw.   We then called the  police  and we stand right there until they arrive.    On that day, I had on a cream shirt  and a long black pants.  And, the blood that was found  on  my clothing  was my own blood  due to the injuries I had.”
This morning  the judge will sum up the case  to the jury after which he will hand over the case to them for  their  consideration and verdict.