Gary Best, who is accused of causing the death of former national cyclist Jude Bentley in a road accident, was today freed after a city magistrate upheld a no-case submission in his favour.
Best, a former advisor to former President, David Granger, was on trial before Magistrate Rondell Weever in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Best was not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Greater Georgetown, he drove motor vehicle PRR 8182 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Bentley. He was ordered to post bail in the sum of $500,000.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he drove motor vehicle PRR 8182 when his blood alcohol level was 85 micrograms- above the legal limit. He pleaded not guilty to this charge and was released on his own recognizance (self bail).
On February 8, last, Bentley was riding his cycle around 05:00 hrs—heading east on Clive Lloyd Drive when he was struck and killed. At the time of the accident, he was proceeding to Sheriff Street to meet a group of cyclists.
In Best’s statement to the police, he claimed that the cyclist was riding without reflective gear, and his cycle was not equipped with lights, making it difficult to see him in the dark.
However, this claim has since been proven to be untrue by a motorist, who released dashcam footage of Bentley just a few minutes before he was killed. The video showed Bentley wearing reflective gear.
In fact, these items were discovered—mangled at the scene of the accident. What was not found, though, is the dashcam footage on Best’s black Land Cruiser. Best claimed that the camera was not working at the time of the accident.
Best, who was represented by prominent Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes, had made a no-case submission during the trial. Hughes had asked the court to throw out the case on several grounds.
Nevertheless, taking into consideration the submissions made by the attorney and the prosecution’s reply, Magistrate Weever upheld the no-case submission and dismissed the charges.
