A man accused of killing a homeless man more than one year ago walked out of court a free man yesterday after prosecutors withdrew a manslaughter case against him.

Voorhees Eugene Trott, 42, of Two Way Lane, Deepdale, Pembroke had denied killing 47-year-old Harry Palmer in June, 2002. Mr. Trott had denied the charge of manslaughter and was represented in Supreme Court by lawyer Larry Scott.

Mr. Palmer died in hospital on June 9, 2002 after he was found lying unconscious on Cedar Avenue in Pembroke a week earlier.

Crown counsel Anthony Blackman explained that a witness had given three varying accounts of the circumstances concerning the incident which led to the arrest of the defendant. “Justice would best be served if this matter be discontinued,” Mr. Blackman said.

Assistant Justice Archibald Warner dismissed Trott, explaining that the prosecution would be able to resurrect the matter in 12 months but that this was unlikely.