A man accused of a 2022 murder walked away scot-free yesterday after a High Court judge upheld a no case submission made by his attorney.
Berle “Junior” Wallace Jr was charged with the murder of 36-year-old personal trainer Christopher Smithers.
Smithers was stabbed to death during an altercation with Wallace in March 2022 outside Pita Pocket Restaurant on Popeshead Street.
Justice Ann-Marie Smith agreed with the submissions made by defence counsel Wendel Alexander that the prosecution had failed to build a sustainable case. She therefore dismissed the case after asking that the jury return a not guilty verdict.
Alexander had made his submissions on Tuesday, February 4, but the judge decided to withhold his decision until February 5.
After spending almost two years on remand, Wallace will now be reunited with his family.
During the trial it was revealed that Smithers, the deceased, had initiated physical contact in what became a fatal encounter.
Despite the evidence presented by the prosecution, the judge was not satisfied that an intent to kill or cause serious harm was made out.
Crown Counsel has already filed an application to appeal the judge’s decision.
