AFTER spending the last five years on remand, Odel Roberts, called “Gully Side” was, on Wednesday, freed of a murder charge which alleged that he murdered a Sophia shopkeeper in 2015.

Roberts, 25, called Delon Williams, formerly of ‘C’ Field Sophia, was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-member mixed jury at the Demerara High Court.
Roberts had denied that on May 1, 2015, he murdered shopkeeper, Shawn Anys, during a robbery at `D’ Field, Sophia.
The state was represented by prosecutors, Tiffani Lyken and Nafeeza Baig, while attorney-at-law, Damien DaSilva, represented Roberts.
The jury, after deliberations, returned a unanimous not guilty verdict in favour of Roberts.
Though acquitted, he will remain in jail as he is currently serving a three-year sentence for a narcotics charge. He was busted with cannabis last year while incarcerated at the Camp Street Prison.

In December 2019, co-accused, Jamal Forde, 26, was freed after spending three years on remand. His case was called before Justice Sandil Kissoon, but was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

According to reports, Anys, who owned and managed a small grocery shop at his home, was confronted by the bandits just before 23:00 hours, while at home with his three children.
The two armed men forced him into the house and shot him while demanding money and valuables. They later escaped with $40,000 in cash along with jewellery.
Anys was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.