It was big news in August of 2008 when gunshots were fired at Richard Russell as he rode down Central American Boulevard. In a statement given at the time, Russell told police he rode away from Austin Rowland and then heard three gunshots and felt something hit him in the back of his head. Russell said he fell to the ground and pretended to be dead when he saw the gunman, allegedly Austin Rowland, standing over him with a gun in his hand. The gunman then ran off while Russell was treated for gunshots to the shoulder and buttocks.
That was almost two years ago but today in the Supreme Court before Justice Herbert Lord, Russell testified that he does not want to proceed with the matter. Russell admitted that he gave police a statement but denied that he saw Rowland in court sitting in the dock.
Of course, he was right there and with that, Crown Counsel Christelle Wilson made the application for the charge to be withdrawn. Justice Lord upheld the application and dismissed the charge.
A jury had already been empanelled and they were sent home. Rowland was not represented by an attorney and he was free to go.
