A mixed verdict was delivered on Tuesday night in the High Court trial over the killing of 25-year-old Keon McPherson, with one defendant found guilty and three others acquitted.
The jury returned its decision at around 20:30h before Justice Gino Persaud at the Demerara High Court.
Nicholas Hercules, known as “Bucko”; Brenna Nurse; Devon Harry; and Peter Lam were on trial. Only Devon Harry was found guilty of murder. The remaining co-accused—Nicholas Hercules, Brenna Nurse and Peter Lam—were found not guilty and discharged.
McPherson, of ‘D’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was found dead in a yard at C’ Field, Sophia, in August 2021, with multiple gunshot wounds.
After the verdict, Justice Persaud ordered that a probation report be prepared on Harry ahead of sentencing. The court was told the report is expected to be completed by May 6, with sentencing scheduled for May 19.
During the trial, evidence was heard from Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, who told the court that McPherson sustained two gunshot wounds and several lacerations. Police witnesses also described the scene at C’ Field, Sophia, where investigators said they found a disturbed section of the yard and what appeared to be a toy gun. McPherson’s sister also testified.
The court was informed that, based on reports from 2021, the deceased was involved in a triangular love affair involving a female from C Field Sophia who was also intimate with another man from Broad and Lombard Streets, Georgetown.
The prosecution also said that McPherson’s brother reported to investigators that the victim left home at about 23:50h on August 14 to go to his lover’s house. However, around 04:00h on August 15, a woman allegedly contacted the Guyana Police Force Command Centre and reported that McPherson was seen lying motionlessly with what appeared to be blood on his body.
Police ranks then went to the scene and, upon inspection, reportedly found that McPherson had been shot to his left side chest and once to his right hand. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The State was represented by Preeneta Seeraj, Abiola Lowe, and Mtomika Lumumba.
Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva, assisted by Shemar Parkinson, represented Brenna Nurse.
