Samorea Mitchell was unanimously acquitted of the murder of Delroy Anthony McKenzie, aged 23, in a high-profile trial at the Demerara High Court on Monday. Mitchell had been charged with orchestrating McKenzie’s killing during an alleged gang-related ambush in Linden, but all 12 jurors found him not guilty after the case was heard by Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh.
Background of the Case
The charges stemmed from a fatal shooting that occurred on July 17, 2021, at Sunflower Street, Wismar, Linden. The prosecution, led by State Counsel Christopher Belfield with assistance from State Counsel Geneva, described the incident as a calculated execution linked to gang rivalry.
According to the prosecution, Mitchell, along with McKenzie and several associates, had planned to attack members of the MOB Gang during a barbecue event. However, prosecutors alleged that Mitchell disclosed the plan to a rival gang member, leading to a counter-plot that lured McKenzie to Sunflower Street under false pretenses. They claimed that when McKenzie arrived, Mitchell directed him to a location where five individuals were waiting in a vehicle. As McKenzie approached the car with his friend Calvin Daly, the occupants reportedly opened fire, seriously wounding Daly and fatally shooting McKenzie, who sustained nine gunshot wounds.
Evidence and Investigation Findings
Investigators recovered 27 spent shells and two 9mm bullets from the scene, indicating that at least two firearms were used in the attack. The prosecution claimed that the vehicle involved in the shooting had been stolen from Georgetown and later abandoned before being burned at Kuru Kuru Junction.
Following the incident, Mitchell allegedly fled to Mahdia but returned to Linden. Despite knowing he was wanted by police, he remained in hiding until he turned himself in at the Mackenzie Police Station on September 3, 2021, accompanied by his attorney. During the investigation, police conducted several interviews with Mitchell, who denied involvement but later reportedly requested to speak “off camera,” providing a caution statement that he refused to sign due to fears of being labeled a “snitch.”
Verdict and Conclusion
A post-mortem examination determined that McKenzie died from hemorrhage and shock due to multiple gunshot injuries, revealing extensive internal bleeding. Despite the prosecution’s detailed evidence, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty, concluding the nearly five-year-long case. Following the verdict, Mitchell was freed, marking a significant outcome in this high-profile murder trial.
