(L-R Rawle Rodrigues, Murder accused: Affiba Yenkana, Murder accused: Akeem Haymer)
A 12-member jury was empanelled on Thursday in the trial of Akeem Haymer called ‘Curry’ and Affiba Yenkana called ‘Dugla’. They are jointly charged with the January 20, 2017 murder of 43-year-old Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, mason Rawle Rodrigues.
Following their arraignment before Justice Sandil Kissoon, Yenkana and Haymer pleaded not guilty to the charge. They are being represented by Attorneys-at-law Hewley Griffith and Rachael Bakker. State Counsel Lisa Cave is appearing on behalf of the prosecution.
The Prosecution is expected to call 20 witnesses. The trial is underway at the Demerara High Court. Police had said that Rodrigues was killed at about 21:30 h on the day in question, in the vicinity of Demico House at Stabroek, Georgetown.
Police had said enquiries disclosed that Rodrigues and two men had an altercation when he was allegedly stabbed once to his chest by one of the men with an object. The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.