Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Royden M. Sebastian acquitted in George Burrows murder case

Murder accused Royden M. Sebastian has been acquitted in the murder case of George Burrows High Court Judge ruled in favour him. Photo: Team of Reporters
Royden M. Sebastian was represented by Attorney David A. Penn of David A. Penn & Co. Photo: Facebook/Internet Source
Royden M. Sebastian was represented by Attorney David A. Penn of David A. Penn & Co. Photo: Facebook/Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Murder accused Royden M. Sebastian has been acquitted in the murder case of George Burrows in a decision made yesterday, December 18, 2023, according to information coming into our newsroom.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Major Crime Team had charged Sebastian for the murder of Burrows as announced in an October 14, 2020, press release.

Burrows, aged 54 at the time, was found dead in his living room at his Purcell Estate home on September 2, 2020, a victim of a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit had said the accused man was captured on CCTV footage wearing a certain clothing and was identified by someone who lives in the vicinity of Burrows home in Purcell Estate.

Sebastian has been acquitted unanimously by an all-female jury on the count of murder and also on the count of being in possession of a weapon to cause fear. 

Mr Sabastian was represented by Attorney David A. Penn of David A. Penn & Co.

Our News Centre will bring more details as it becomes available.

36 Responses to “Royden M. Sebastian acquitted in George Burrows murder case”

  • It hurt (19/12/2023, 09:29) Like (47) Dislike (3) Reply
    That Woman is a complete waste of time. They need to change her and get someone who can actually win a case. This thing is now becoming a big joke.
  • open wide (19/12/2023, 09:46) Like (3) Dislike (36) Reply
    Free the drew free west bank
  • Just saying (19/12/2023, 10:02) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Seems like our court system has been failing to ensure that accused persons, who we know are the actual persons responsible for the crimes they're charged with are convicted. Quite a few recent cases ended with the same result. Could it be that the investigators (police), the DDP's office, the lawyer for the Crown are all incompetent in compiling a strong evidence base case?

    Can't be that the Jury pool is so blind that they fail to see. But, in the court of law, it is what can be proven without the shadow of a doubt that leads to conviction. Poor evidence, poor policing, poor prosecutorial tactics be the cause? Ah wonder!!!!!
  • smh (19/12/2023, 10:08) Like (51) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our DPP is a joke...
  • Dead DPP (19/12/2023, 10:09) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Public procecurors ca.nt even win a case against a donkey they see drinking water in the wrong pasture. They made Penn look like a super hero. Police on the stand "can't recall" #stluciagotcash.

    Is this a cold case now or are they going after the stepson?
    • facts (19/12/2023, 17:55) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Officer R was to cocky and did not know his own case with those I cannot recall. Came across like he can’t be trusted. The prosecutor was more of a waste of time. Lord help us in our country.
    • Damion (20/12/2023, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      lol lol lol
  • Anon (19/12/2023, 10:15) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    you kept that man locked up for 3 years just to find him not guilty, trials need to be quicker, thats a joke.
  • Again???? (19/12/2023, 10:20) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    When was the last case won by the DPP Tiffany? The eye watering level of incompetence and ineptitude is staggering!

    A name change is in order - from Tiffany Scatliffe-ESPRIT to Tiffany Scatliffe-SETFREE
    • Oooh. Boiii (19/12/2023, 11:51) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      I Must saa

      I LOVE the name change —- “ Setfree”
    • @Again???? (19/12/2023, 11:59) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      SHE IS THE TURN EM LOOSE DPP.
    • @@@Again???? (19/12/2023, 15:05) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Since we are on the topic of incompetence start with the police... half of them do not know how to do shit to solve no crime.
  • Local (19/12/2023, 10:35) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
    The police and the prosecutor needs to stop wasting the court and tax payers money if you don't have a solid case don't charge if your evidence is weak don't risk it by thinking the jurors will deliver a guilty verdict.
  • This is scary. (19/12/2023, 11:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need to have a trial court treaty with other OECS countries where serious offences can be moved from one jurisdiction to the next..These locals are not willing or prepared to hold their own people responsible for their crimes.. The place continue to be very unsafe and scary..!.
  • T Todman (19/12/2023, 11:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What bothers me about this situation is that in BVI no one ever knows who the butcher is, other things in BVI the contribution of the worker is not respected, the tax is paid for advances in BVI being an organized place, every time we move away from that, now it is a free person, I cannot accuse him, I am not a juror, I did not hear the evidence, I can say that his lawyer will seek his payment in the individual's claim on our taxes.
  • Jury corrupt? (19/12/2023, 11:34) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    Perhaps the jury has been thrown some cash? Some people here have no principles and happily sell their soul to the devil. Or threatened? Scared? I think the jury is where the problem is. Look at that very closely.
  • Fan (19/12/2023, 11:34) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    BRING BACK TERRENCE AND GRAHAM
  • In my Opinion (19/12/2023, 11:50) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Accused people should be lining up to have their cases heard right now
    • Junie (19/12/2023, 14:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ in my opinion: I agree with you. And I will add not only accused persons but especially those charged with murder. This is some serious business the bvi dealing with here.

      Honestly, which is the lesser of these two evils? 1) having a murder committed and the police can’t find and charge the killer(s) or 2) finding and charging who is the suspected killer(s) and after sitting in jail for YEARS , a Not Guilty verdict is returned.

      I hope that people know that a Not Guilty verdict by the jury means that the accused didn’t actually commit the crime. Of late, there are many murderers that have been set free.
  • truth be told (19/12/2023, 11:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The star witness was no star. She wanted 15 mins of fame and stories don't add up
  • More losses than wins (19/12/2023, 12:53) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Someone or someone’s need to be moved around or removed. Where is Terrance Williams? He would make you believe sky is Red.
  • watch (19/12/2023, 12:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The prosecutors and judges are all chicken shit or they are being bought off . Gutless and corrupt to the drug scum
  • look good (19/12/2023, 13:31) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Guard your back chopper the cops working with west bank keep your head on they ant going to like u
    • Options. (19/12/2023, 13:58) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      These serious crimes need to be tried in another OECS jurisdiction so cases can be judge solely on the evidence. These people find it hard to render justice on their people..With all these not guilty verdict all cannot be not guilty and so the community remains unsafe..
  • Hsh (19/12/2023, 13:35) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I bet the Drew wishes he was being tried in the BVI. He'd be out tomorrow.
  • WELL ITS THE NORM (19/12/2023, 14:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    OR ???? WHATEVER ❓️ / IS SHE BEING THREATENED ❓️ ???? ( THE MAFIA USED
    TO USE THAT SAME SH*T / PERHAPS BLONDIE CAN SHED SOME LIGHT ON IT , HE SEEMS TO KNOW EVERYTHING , AND THAT WOULD BE MORE CONSTRUCTIVE THAN HOLLERING OUT HIS USUAL BROKEN DOWN RECORD RETHORIC ON RACISM & COLONIALISM AND RANKIN ,COLLINS , THE UK , CINDY AND WALWYN , IGNORANCE ALONG WITH HIS LOOSED OVERGROWN E G O IN OVERDRIVE IS A DANGEROUS COMBINATION FOR ANYONE IN THE QUEST FOR FAME
  • cbc (19/12/2023, 15:16) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    only guilty for a joint
  • I knew (19/12/2023, 23:06) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I knew this was going to happen. It's sad for the family hoping for a conviction.
  • Ex Police (20/12/2023, 07:24) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    If the powers that be doesn't see it fit to revisit the DPP and the Police investigators to see what's the real problem is, then we are doomed. It is unheard of that almost every murder case that goes to trial there's an acquittal. Somebody must take the blame. Either the DPP or the Police. On another note if these cases are falling because of witnesses and their testimonies shouldn't the DPP and the police know in advance so better care can be taken against these witnesses under cross examination? Sad to say but the reality is if anyone is planning to commit a crime now might be the best time as there is a 99.9% chance that you will be acquitted under this DPP and the present police investigators. Both entities can make one. Secondly why isn't the DPP marshalling these cases herself? Back in the days of Terrence Williams he would be prosecuting these matters along with a junior crown counsel teaching them the rope, but madam DPP sits and watch. Time you start prosecuting matters and let us see your worth.
    • Witness Tempering (20/12/2023, 16:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      According to the madam, the communication between the witness and the DPP office is witness tampering.
  • Shaba big sis , never ve afraid to speak truth .. (22/12/2023, 12:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Morning I am George Burrows Sister and I was not tgere when whoever took my brother life but trust God was most present. Who is any ma. To thi k they can just take a life in my fatger house he worked hard to aquire and dear to think tgey will be free ..Trust you and ur enablers will never know what peace just like our family ha6vr o peace you all took from us you and your will never know peace
    . There is no peace for the wicked .. man you fool but god trust is still on his throne . MAN DISSAPOINT BUT GOD APPOINT. JUST KNOW I DONT HABR TO GO TO NO OBEAH MAN OR BRIBE OR NOTHING TO NOBOFY BECAUSE I TRUST MY GOD IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEADE .. WHEN THE TRUE MURDERER PUT HIS HEAD DOEN AT NIGHT WHILE MY BROTHER OPPORTUNITY WAS TAKEN AWAY .URS WILL BE SAME ..EVERYWAY U GO U WILL SEE HIM U WILL HESR HIS LAST CRY
    HE LEFT A BROKEN FAMILY INCLUDING TWO DISABLE SONS .. YOU TOOJ FROM US WHAT NEVER CAN BE REPLACED ... WHOEVER WAS AND IS STILL INVOLVE IN THIS COLD BLOODED MURDER WILL NEVER BE FREE . YOU WILL OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND CONFESS. GOD SAY EBERY KNEE WILL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS. I DONT TRUST NOBODY ..BUT GOD SAID .EVERYBODY HAVE YOU UNRILL YOU NEED THEM.. TGEN EXPECT GOOD THINGS TO COME TGERE WAY.BOY BOY.. EVERYBODY UBDER THE SOUND OF MY VOICE KNOW I WILL NEVER REST PRAYING FOR TRUE JUSTICE. TRUTH E TOKD YOU CAN TRUST HUNAN BEING WICKEDNESS IN HIGH AND LOW PLACES. TEARS COME BUT TGE JOY OF TGE LORD COMES IN TGE MORNING .Your generation will be cursed just because of your wickedness.. I lift up my eyes unto the most high and I shout and shout God is in control . The obeah men.. black white magic magic dishonesty whatever can't and will not save from the one judgement you all does forget still exist is tgat man that be still and know I am God.. he that wait upon tge lord will renew his strength ???? ???? ???? know the the wicked are not so but like the chaff that wind drivers away .. He promise he would never leave or forsake me he will be a friend that sticketh closer Than A brother.. . Three year and counting .. remember this the day the lord has made rejoice and be glad in it .. Do good and good will be ur portion .. what you sow u shall surely reap. Whe. The light come on fir tge wicked murder heard them will run like cockroach you are your darkness will consume you and tge wicked.. Thou shall not kill..sheep in wolf clothing .. I see u and mostly father see you u will never never know peace word of the creator..
  • Shaba big sis , never ve afraid to speak truth .. (22/12/2023, 12:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You know


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.