By Tahna Weston
A medical student is starting to pick up the pieces of his life after he was acquitted of a rape charge in the High Court last week.
The 40-year-old man was accused of raping his 27-year-old classmate some time after 11 pm on August 1, 2023, at a home on the northern section of the island.
However, following a trial which started three weeks ago and concluded on Thursday December 12 with a majority verdict of not guilty after only one of the nine jurors felt that the man had committed the unlawful act.
The prosecution had called about six witnesses as it sought to prove the man’s guilt. The man, who did not call any witnesses, took the stand and testified in his own defence, convincing the majority of the jurors that he was innocent.
Reports are that he and the victim met at an event, following which they began to communicate via WhatsApp and telephone. It is alleged that the woman then invited him to her home to study.
Reportedly the friendship later became physical and there were at least two sexual encounters at the victim’s home.
However, it was following another encounter that the allegation of rape was made and the matter was reported to the police. It is alleged that the man wanted to focus on his studies, but the victim wanted to be in a committed relationship.
As a result of the allegation made against the man, his attorney Lawrence Daniels said his client’s entire life had to be put on hold, and that the man was restricted from attending classes until the matter was resolved.
The case was heard before Justice Ann-Marie Smith.
