The seven men accused of murdering teacher Dwight Holder were found not guilty tonight in the No. 3 Supreme Court.
There was jubilation in the court yard at Whitepark, St Michael as Brandon Damon Joseph, of Beckwith Street; Adrian Antonio Watts, of Windsor Road, Bank Hall; Rasheed Jabar Gittens, of Belleview Gap, Station Hill; Nicholas Ricardo Clarke, of 2nd Avenue, Goddings Road, Station Hill; and Rio Richian Jelani Benn, of Upper Dukes Alley, Vine Street, all in St Michael, were greeted by loved ones after the verdict.
Missing from the freed group were Kemal Mario Straker, of Clapham Park, Christ Church who was absent because of illness, and Ayo Prince Bascombe, of Headley Land, Bank Hall, St Michael who was immediately remanded on another charge.
They had all pleaded not guilty of killing Holder, a 30-year-old teacher on August 6, 2015.
When asked how they felt to be acquitted, one of the accused said: “We feel great. They put we through hell.”
The case was heard by Justice Carlisle Greaves before a 12-member jury, with Principal State Counsel Neville Watson and Principal State Counsel Romario Straker prosecuting.
King’s Counsel Michael Lashley represented Watts; Senior Counsel Angella Mitchell-Gittens and attorney Suthany Hall appeared for Rasheed Gittens; Kristin Vanderpool represented accused Benn; attorney Verla De Peiza represented Bascombe; attorneys Dr Lenda Blackman, Simon Clarke and Ken Mason appeared for Joseph; attorney Jeremy Bowen appeared for accused Clarke and attorney Ajamu Boardi for Straker.
Today was the fourth day of summation. (Nation News)
