THE murder charge against licensed firearm holder Lawrence Wayne called ‘Bai Bai,’ was discharged by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday after she said that the prosecution had “failed to prove the elements of the capital offence.”Wayne was alleged to have murdered Dexter Lindo sometime between August 23 and 24 last year in Alberttown, Georgetown. He was represented by attorney–at–law Mark Waldron, who made a no-case submission at the end of the preliminary inquiry.
According to the Chief Magistrate, the prosecution proved that the Lindo died as a result of a gunshot wound, but did not prove who inflicted the injuries, since there was no eyewitness or evidence.
According to Waldron, his client in a caution statement had admitted to shooting Lindo with his licensed firearm, but it was only in self-defence after the deceased had pulled a gun from under his shirt . Additionally, this was the only compelling evidence that the prosecution had to rely on.
The courtroom of the chief magistrate was filled with jubilation and praise from family members, who had come out in numbers to show support throughout the trial.
Lindo, 26, of Shell Road, Kitty, was shot three times about his body. He succumbed the following day while receiving treatment at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital.
According to the police, on the day in question, two men armed with handguns had entered the Wayne Beverage Paradise stall at Merriman Mall, Bourda, and upon seeing the duo, the female owner ran and raised an alarm. A licensed firearm holder responded.
The two armed men then fled in a waiting motor vehicle driven by an accomplice. However, they were followed by the licensed firearm holder, who subsequently caught up with the getaway car at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown.
The licensed firearm holder reportedly confronted a man who had exited the car and entered a shop in the area.
That man turned out to be Lindo, who is said to have whipped out a gun and was shot to his abdomen by the licensed firearm holder.
Lindo managed to escape on foot, but an unlicensed .32 Beretta pistol with four rounds that he had in his possession was recovered and handed over to the police. The police said that the suspected bandit was later found at a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The charge against the accused was filed on May 13, 2015, but was not read to him then, because he was out of the country at the time.
However, he was arrested on May 19, 2015 and hauled before a magistrate after being detained by police at the Ogle International Airport after he had disembarked a flight from Barbados.