Scarlett murder suspect freed on bail
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Your support makes all the difference.A suspect in the rape and murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling was released on bail after investigators failed to submit charges against him, her lawyer said today.
Samson D'Souza is facing a number of accusations, including raping the 15-year-old and assisting in her murder.
He was freed after the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not submit a list of charges against him.
Vikram Varma, the lawyer representing Scarlett and her mother Fiona MacKeown, said the CBI has applied to cancel the bail and that application should be heard in court on Friday.
He said: "I can confirm that D'Souza was released on bail. The CBI have moved to cancel the bail. Hopefully they will also file a charge sheet within a couple of weeks."
Scarlett's body was found on Anjuna beach in Goa, India, on February 19.
Police said initially that her death was an accidental drowning but, after a sustained campaign for justice by Mrs MacKeown, the results were re-examined and a second post mortem held.
The results revealed Scarlett was killed and a murder investigation was launched.
The tests also showed that Scarlett, from Bradworthy, Devon, was given Ecstasy, cocaine and LSD on the night she died.
Nerlon Albuquerque, the police officer who first investigated the death, was dismissed in April.
Two men were arrested, D'Souza, 29, and Placido Carvalho, aged between 30 and 35, who has appeared in court on suspicion of drugging Scarlett and assisting in the murder by that act.
Mr Varma said more people could still be arrested and Mrs MacKeown, 43, has maintained throughout the case that evidence was being covered up to protect other people involved.
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