Former Policeman Keenon David has been acquitted of the murder of Kurt Anthony Duncan after Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts ruled there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Magistrate Annette Singh at the close of the prosecution’s case, following a no-case submission filed by Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon. The decision brings an end to proceedings that began more than four years ago.
David, who had been at large for nearly four years, was arrested in January 2024 at Soesdyke Back Road, Timehri, reportedly while playing cards. He was subsequently remanded to prison pending the preliminary inquiry.
The prosecution’s case relied mainly on a single eyewitness who had been with Duncan on the night of the shooting, along with CCTV footage from five cameras at Seeta’s Bar in Kitty. During cross-examination, Dhurjon challenged the eyewitness account, pointing to inconsistencies, contradictions, and credibility concerns.
Dhurjon also argued that the CCTV footage was inconclusive and did not definitively identify David as the shooter.
In ruling, Magistrate Singh agreed that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case, noting that the issue of identification “loomed large” and that the evidence was insufficient to require David to enter a defence. She dismissed the murder charge and discharged the former officer.
After the decision, David expressed gratitude to the court, saying: “I thank the court for its patience and commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.”
Police reported that on the day in question, Seeta’s Bar was in the process of closing when a scuffle broke out between a woman and the man cleaning the floor. Police said Duncan tried to intervene when he was shot by the suspect, who was reportedly seated nearby.
Police stated that the suspect “allegedly whipped out a firearm and shot (Duncan) in the region of his chest”. Duncan was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
