An ex-presidential guard was on Thursday freed on an attempted murder charge after his wife refused to give evidence against him when he appeared at the High Court, Georgetown before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a mixed jury.
Malvin Taylor, 35, was found not guilty of the charge, which stated that on January 26, 2011 he discharged a loaded firearm at his wife Sharon Taylor, 34, and her sister, Michelle Edwards, 23, with intent to commit murder.
He was also charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Aubrey Smith, who was in the company of his wife at the time.
According to reports, on the day in question, the accused saw his wife and his sister-in-law speaking to Smith and an argument ensued. It was further explained that Taylor pulled out his gun and fired several shots at them. It was also related that the accused suspected that his wife was having an affair with Smith.
His wife and sister-in-law sustained injuries and were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public spirited citizens. He several days later turned himself in to the police with his lawyer.
The preliminary inquiry into the matter commenced at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before then Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in late 2011 and saw some nine witnesses giving testimony.
In February 2012, Taylor was ordered to stand trial at the High Court after instructions by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
On Thursday, his wife and sister-in-law told the judge and jury that they had forgiven the accused and did not wish to offer evidence.
As such, the jury found him not guilty and he was acquitted.
