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A 21-year-old man charged with the August 2023 murder of a vendor in Woodbrook has been discharged by the High Court after the State failed to comply with court-ordered deadlines.

Alva Gibbs, of Upper Lanse Mitan, Carenage, had been facing charges in connection with the August 18, 2023, stabbing death of 35-year-old Ricardo Gale of East Dry River, Port of Spain.

When the matter came before Master Sarah De Silva on November 13 for a sufficiency hearing, the court noted that the prosecution had repeatedly failed to comply with scheduling orders issued in March 2025, including a directive to file and serve all necessary documents by July 7. Despite an extension granted until November 9, the State again failed to meet the deadline or provide an application supported by affidavit evidence.