NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Tevin McKenzie of Port Mourant, Corentyne,Berbice, walked out of the Berbice Assizes a free man on Friday afternoon and into the arms of his father, after the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty to the charge of rape.State Counsel Stacy Goodings had presented the indictment against the school drop-out, which stated that on July 8, 2015, he engaged in sexual penetration of a child. The trial was held “in camera.”
However, as it relates to the second indictment, in which McKenzie is accused of having sexual activity with a four-year-old child, by touching the child’s anus, the Judge, Justice JoAnn Barlow, directed the 12-member jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty, as there was no evidence to support the indictment.
In dismissing the former Port Mourant Secondary school student, Justice Barlow said, “Tevin McKenzie, the jury has unanimously found you not guilty. You are a very young man. Use this opportunity to do what is good.”
State Counsel Goodings had conceded that her main witness, the victim, was unable to recall the incident, and, when questioned, said it was his mother who told him to say he had been sexually assaulted.
The mother had testified that she witnessed the alleged assault, during which the penis of the accused was placed in the mouth of the minor. However, she later gave conflicting evidence.
McKenzie was represented by Defence Counsel Tejnarine Ramroop.