RANDY Isaacs was on Monday freed of the 2013 Mash Day murder of Enterprise businessman Kumar Mohabir, while his co-accused will have to face a new trial.
Isaacs and Devon Thomas were on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a mixed 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court. It is alleged that on February 23, 2013, they murdered Mohabir, called “Dusky” and “Fire Link” at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

On Monday evening, the jury after deliberating for two hours returned with a not-guilty verdict in favor of Isaacs. However, the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in relation to Thomas. Justice Kissoon told Thomas that he will have to be retried at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes.
The state was represented by prosecutor Lisa Cave, while the men were represented by attorneys-at-law Ronald Daniels and Narissa Leander.

In 2015, the men were first tried at the High Court and found guilty of the offence. After being sentenced to 75 years in prison, they moved to the Court of Appeal to have their conviction and sentence overturned. Earlier this year, the Appeal Court allowed the appeal and ordered a retrial.

According to reports, the Mohabir family members were enjoying the Mashramani festivities on Vlissengen Road when a gang of youths attacked Kumar Mohabir and killed him, under the pretext that he had “mashed” the feet of one of them.

Navindra Mohabir went to his brother’s rescue and was viciously attacked. He suffered five serious incised wounds to his right hand. Thomas and Isaacs, who were known to the victim, were arrested

after Navindra pointed them out during an identification parade.