Albouystown murder accused for re-trial after hung jury

Murder accused Carl Bennett will have to face another trial after a 12-member jury could not arrive at a unanimous verdict on his guilt in the High Court yesterday.

Jurors could not arrive at a decision after spending close to two hours deliberating on the matter. Justice Navindra Singh, who presided over the trial, also inquired from jurors if they needed further direction that may assist in arriving at a verdict but they said no.

Bennett was subsequently told by Justice Singh that he will have to be remanded to prison until the case is called again in the next criminal session.

Bennett was accused of stabbing Marvin Boston, called “Jess,” to death on October 24, 2009 in Albouystown. He was represented by attorney Nigel Hughes while Renita Singh and Rhondel Weever represented the state.

Prosecution witness Sonia Williams had told the court that she has saw the accused stabbing Boston. She had said that Bennett’s brother Cordell and her brother were fighting in a gutter while the accused was on the street. He then left and returned shortly after with two knives and “start firing juks,” at her bother. “Jess come out and snatch Carl by he hand and tell he humble and Carl hold on to Jess neck. Carl pelt a juk at Jess left side chest and Jess yelled out ‘oh gad Carly you gon kill me?” she had said.

Bennett had denied being involved in the crime and had told the court that he was innocent of the charge.