After nearly five years of legal proceedings, Shawn Small has been acquitted in the high-profile 2020 New Market Street murder case that gripped the Georgetown community. The verdict, delivered by a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court on Friday, brings to a close a case marked by intense public interest and emotional testimony.

Small, a resident of D’Andrade Street, Newtown Kitty, Georgetown, had been on trial for the murder of 43-year-old security guard Bharrat Dass. The incident occurred on the night of November 5, 2020, at the Medi-Care Pharmacy on New Market Street, where Dass was reportedly attacked during the course of a robbery.

According to court testimony, Dass and Small, along with others, had been drinking at Dass’ workplace earlier that evening. After the group dispersed, it was alleged that Small returned, assaulted Dass, and left with his mobile phone and a sum of cash. Dass was later discovered by his son in a critical state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he succumbed to his injuries six days later.

Small was arrested following a police investigation and subsequently charged with murder. He maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, entering a not guilty plea at his arraignment before Justice Jo Ann Barlow in April. The trial, which unfolded over several days, featured detailed accounts from witnesses and arguments from both the prosecution and defense.

On Friday, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty, acquitting Small of all charges related to Dass’s death. The decision was met with a mix of relief and reflection, as the case had raised questions about violence, justice, and due process in Guyana’s capital.

With the conclusion of the trial, Shawn Small walks free, while the family of Bharrat Dass continues to seek closure after the loss of their loved one. The verdict underscores the complexities and challenges inherent in the country’s criminal justice system, especially in cases that capture the public’s attention.