‘Youth-I’ walks free of murder charge

Just 24 hours after two men were acquitted of a triple homicide charge, Donny “Youth-I” Williams was freed by the court of a similar charge.{{more}}

Williams, 34, of Caratal Village, Georgetown was acquitted on Thursday, November 5, 2009 of the charge of murdering Odinga Collins on June 16, 2007, just outside the Spotlight Stadium in Georgetown.

Williams’ acquittal came shortly after the main prosecution witness was not present in court. He was the eyewitness who allegedly linked Williams to the crime.

In the absence of the main witness, Prosecutor Duane Daniel told the court that the police could not locate him and that there’s a possibility that he has left the state. He offered no further evidence in the matter and Justice Gertel Thom instructed the 12-member jury to return a verdict of not guilty.

It was alleged that Collins, 22, of Bay Road, Georgetown went to the Miss North Windward beauty pageant at the Spotlight Stadium but was standing outside. According to reports, Collins was in the company of others when it was alleged that a masked man approached him and fired several shots in his direction. When the smoke cleared, Collins was left with a gunshot wound to his back. He died on the spot.

The previous day, on Wednesday November 4, Jason Henry and Rodney Roberts were acquitted of the charge of murdering Javon Antoine, of Layou, and Reuben Small and Omoro Bowens of Lowmans Leeward. A 12-member jury returned unanimous decisions on all three counts for both men after about an hour and a half of deliberations.