Antonio Rodriguez was a PG taxi man viciously murdered in December of 2015.
He was lured to a remote location outside of Punta Gorda Town by a customer and while driving back he was stabbed multiple times. Even though he had his licensed 9mm pistol next to him, Rodriguez was caught off guard.
Today 24-year-old Albert Valentine and a 17-year-old male minor that had been charged with the murder were acquitted of the charge by Justice Denis Hanomansingh in a trial without jury.
Prosecutor, Senior Crown Counsel Christelle Wilson had relied on a caution statement Valentine had given to the police but it was ruled inadmissible because Valentine claimed that he was beaten by police to give the statement. Police said that he had caught in a fight in the holding cell.
Without that, the case didn't hold up and two accused didn't even have to testify; the Judge acquitted them.
The minor was released but even though he was found not guilty, Valentine was not because he has another trial pending for the murder of 19-year-old Jarrel Pop. His decomposing body was found in a well about one week after Rodriguez was killed.
The minor had also been charged with Pop's murder but the charge was withdrawn at a preliminary inquiry.
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Antonio Rodriguez was a PG taxi man viciously murdered in December of 2015.
He was lured to a remote location outside of Punta Gorda Town by a customer and while driving back he was stabbed multiple times. Even though he had his licensed 9mm pistol next to him, Rodriguez was caught off guard.
Today 24-year-old Albert Valentine and a 17-year-old male minor that had been charged with the murder were acquitted of the charge by Justice Denis Hanomansingh in a trial without jury.
Prosecutor, Senior Crown Counsel Christelle Wilson had relied on a caution statement Valentine had given to the police but it was ruled inadmissible because Valentine claimed that he was beaten by police to give the statement. Police said that he had caught in a fight in the holding cell.
Without that, the case didn't hold up and two accused didn't even have to testify; the Judge acquitted them.
The minor was released but even though he was found not guilty, Valentine was not because he has another trial pending for the murder of 19-year-old Jarrel Pop. His decomposing body was found in a well about one week after Rodriguez was killed.
The minor had also been charged with Pop's murder but the charge was withdrawn at a preliminary inquiry.