BECAUSE a 15-year old girl of Lusignan East Coast Demerara, who reported to her parents and the police that she was raped in 2012 now smilingly refused to testify against her attacker.The resulting effect the alleged rapist Leroy Deonarine, called ‘Baby’ was freed of the alleged crime.

When the matter came up for trial two days ago , the accused unrepresented by counsel pleaded not guilty and a jury were empanelled to try his case.
When the victim was called to testify at the resumption yesterday, she became dumbfounded so much so, that Presiding Judge, Mr. Franklyn Holder had to adjourn court for five minutes to give her an opportunity to regain her composure.
On the resumption she told the court that she does not wish to prosecute the accused and that by her action she fully realizes that the accused will go free.
The young woman who was 15 years old at the time when she tearfully complained to her mother about the alleged assault also told the Prosecutrix Mrs. Teshana Lake yesterday, that no one had compelled her to take the course she had chosen nor was she paid any money by anyone for the action taken by her.
As a consequence of the complainant’s action the Prosecutrix informed the Judge that the Director of Public Prosecutions had to withdraw the charge of rape against the accused.
In law ,once a jury is put in charge of the accused, it is the duty of that jury to decide the outcome of the case.
Therefore the trial judge had to direct the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused.
On the directions of the judge, the Chairperson of the jury returned a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of the accused Le Roy Deonarine called ‘Baby’ After discharging the accused, Judge Holder told him – “ Go and behave yourself.”

By George Barclay