THE murder trial of Shemar Harvey, a 26-year-old resident of Albouystown, Georgetown, was abruptly halted after he was found mentally unfit to stand trial for the 2019 killing of 18-year-old Christopher Mansfield.

The decision came after a forensic psychiatric evaluation revealed Harvey’s inability to comprehend court proceedings or participate in his own defence.

Harvey is charged with the fatal shooting of Mansfield, which occurred on March 31, 2019, and had entered a not guilty plea.

The case, being heard at the Demerara High Court before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury, was paused after the mental health assessment was presented to the court.

The psychiatric report determined that Harvey could not effectively assist in his defence due to his mental state, prompting Justice Kissoon to abort the trial.

The court’s decision means that any future proceedings will depend on Harvey’s mental fitness after undergoing treatment. In the meantime, Harvey remains in prison.

The prosecution in the case was led by State Counsel Delon Fraser and State Counsel Alvaro Ramotar, while Harvey’s defence was represented by attorney Ronald Bostwick.

The incident in question occurred when Christopher Mansfield, a resident of Barr Street, Albouystown, was shot in the chest while heading to a football field in West La Penitence, Georgetown. Mansfield collapsed on Non Pareil Street, Albouystown, after being shot.

Although residents tried to assist the wounded teen, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Following the conclusion of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) in 2021 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly found sufficient evidence for Harvey to face trial by a jury before a judge.