AT the end of a three-day trial, 23-year-old Samuel Allen was, on Thursday, November 28, 2019, found not guilty of the 2014 murder of Brazilian miner Joao De Souza, who was killed during a robbery.

Allen, formerly of Arakaka, North West District, was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury, at the Demerara High Court.

After deliberating for two hours, the jury found Allen not guilty of the charge which read that, on April 2, 2014, at Arakaka, North West District, he murdered De Souza, during the course of a robbery.

Allen was represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay, while the state was represented by prosecutor Sarah Martin.

Justice Barlow told Allen that he was imprisoned at the age of 18 for the offence and had already lost some of his adult years, while behind bars.
However, with the outcome of the case, the Judge urged Allen to turn over a new leaf and stay out of trouble.

According to reports, DeSouza was walking to his camp when Allen came up from behind and, with the intention to rob him, dealt him a lash to his head with a crush hammer.
The man fell to the ground and Allen was seen searching his pockets for valuables.
It was alleged that Allen made good his escape. DeSouza was rushed to the hospital and died the following day.