After more than two hours of deliberation, a nine-member jury on Wednesday found Barbados Member of Parliament Neil Rowe not guilty of rape, bringing an end to a high-profile trial that has gripped national attention for weeks.
The verdict was returned at 3:35 p.m., following two hours and 25 minutes of deliberation by the five-woman, four-man jury in the No. 5 Supreme Court, after a three-hour summation by Justice Pamela Beckles earlier in the day.
Rowe, the sitting MP for St Michael North West and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, had been accused of raping a woman at his Kingsland, Christ Church home on September 18, 2022. He consistently denied the allegation throughout the trial.
Taking the stand for the first time on April 29, Rowe opted to give an unsworn statement from the dock. He told the court the charge had taken a significant toll on his personal and family life, saying, “I am a father of three—a son and two very beautiful daughters—and this matter has impacted my family, my children, parents and close friends in a very negative light.”
He also expressed gratitude that DNA evidence did not link him to the alleged incident.
Rowe testified that he and the complainant had met during a Crop Over cruise in July 2022 and had maintained friendly contact, including several outings and visits to his home. He claimed that during a third visit, the woman had voluntarily removed some of her clothing and lay next to him, but he made no advances toward her and eventually fell asleep.
He also recounted events on the night of the alleged incident, saying they had both attended a party at Highgate Park. Though they arrived separately, the woman later left with him and eventually returned to his home. Rowe told the court they showered together and lay in bed, but he fell asleep quickly and did not engage in any sexual activity.
“At no point in time…did I attempt to perform oral sex on [the complainant], or did I attempt to put my penis in her vagina,” Rowe said firmly during his testimony.
The trial, which began on April 7, featured testimony from both the complainant and Rowe, as well as character witnesses and forensic evidence. In the end, the jury ruled in his favor, clearing him of all charges.
Neil Rowe has yet to issue a public statement following the verdict.
