Derek Achong
Soca artiste Kimba Sorzano has been freed of attempted rape and grevious sexual assault charges after the woman who accused him failed to testify at his trial.
Sorzano was freed at the end of his trial before High Court Judge Gillian Scotland, a short while ago.
Sorzano’s alleged victim was expected to take the witness stand as his trial commenced at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, last week.
However, she failed to attend court and prosecutors were unable to locate her.
During today’s hearing, Justice Scotland directed prosecutors to not offer any evidence against Sorzano based on the absence of their main witness.
The nine-member jury hearing the evidence in the case was directed to return with not guilty verdicts for Sorzano.
Sorzano was arrested and charged in May 2020 over an alleged incident which occurred in Point Fortin months before.
He was granted $85,000 bail during his first court appearance.
At the time, Sorzano’s lawyer Kelston Pope, of Allum Chambers, claimed that his client denied any wrongdoing.
“My client maintains his innocence, he will trust the process and speak freely after his vindication on the charges brought against him. These matters are now before the court and the rule of sub judice will be observed,” Pope said.
The charges were dismissed in October 2022 but were subsequently reinstated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Sorzano was also represented by Ashleigh Motilal. He was prosecuted by Assistant DPP Taterani Seecharan, and prosecutor Melissa Boodhai.
