Complainant’s Absence Leads to Acquittal on Rape Charges

Jordy Rhaburn

At the direction of Supreme Court Justice Colin Williams, a jury of nine today entered a verdict of not guilty in favour of forty-two-year-old Jordy Rhaburn and twenty-nine-year-old Kevon Bardalez.  In 2011, Bardalez had been accused of raping a fourteen-year-old school girl inside a car on University Drive, while Rhaburn was charged with abetment to rape for holding down the victim. But prosecutor Kileru Awich told the court that the complainant is currently abroad and due to miscommunication was unavailable to testify by teleconference as had been agreed.  As a jury had already been empanelled, the judge ordered the not guilty verdicts due to insufficient evidence. The minor told police she had gone to play games at a friend’s house and later went to Bardalez’s house to continue to play.

Kevon Bardalez

She decided to go home around three o’clock and sought a ride from Bardalez, who was accompanied by Rhaburn. However, Rhaburn stopped the vehicle in a bushy area off Coney Drive and at a signal from Bardalez, he held her down and she was raped. She then fought her way out and sought help, eventually giving a statement to police that led to Bardalez and Rhaburn’s arrests. Bardalez was represented by Ronell Gonzalez while Rhaburn was unrepresented.