After being behind bars for three years on a murder charge, 26-year-old Jamal Forde walked out of the High Court a free man today.

The South Ruimveldt resident was freed of the charge following a no-case submission put forward by his attorneys, Ronald Burch-Smith and Keoma Griffith.

Forde was on trial before a 12-member jury for the murder of 24-year-old Shawn Anys of Sophia, who was gunned down during a robbery back in 2015. 

After the Prosecution closed its case, the Defense attorneys submitted that there was no case to answer to.

Additionally, they argued that the evidence presented did not show how Forde was picked out and placed on an identification parade one year after the offense. 

The Police Force’s main witness in the case could not identify Forde and changed his story during the trial.

Justice Sandel Kissoon agreed with the submissions of the Defense lawyers and directed the Jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The victim operated a  grocery shop in front of his ‘D’ Field Sophia home.  On the day in question, he was ambushed in his home by two armed men who demanded money and his valuables. He was shot dead during the course of the robbery. 

Forde was arrested in 2016. 

Another man, Odel Roberts was charged with the same crime and is awaiting trial.

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