A man was freed from jail after more than 4 years on remand for murder. 24 year old Kentroy McKoy was acquitted of the December 3, 2018 murder of Arthur Flowers Jr., executed at the corner of Queen and Handyside Street.
He was acquitted after the DPP's crown Counsel could not produce her crown witness, a taxi driver who had given police a statement linking McKoy to the murder. According to the crown, all best efforts were made for the last two months to locate the witness but to no avail and all resources to locate him was made. Still, Justice Sandcroft ruled he would not allow that witness' statement to be admitted in his absence. He refused because he found that all reasonable steps were NOT taken to find the witness. With that the crown closed its case unable to prove the charge.
McKoy's attorney, Oscar Selgado then made a submission asking the court to take into consideration the fact that no conviction can be secured for murder. Justice Sandcroft agreed and acquitted McKoy.
And Mckoy tasted freedom for the first since December of 2018. Here's that emotional moment as he walked out of the courtroom:
Reporter
"How long were you on remand?"
Kentroy McKoy, Acquitted of Murder
"5 years."
Reporter
"How does it feel to be free?"
Kentroy McKoy, Acquitted of Murder
"Its beyond explanation. I don't have words to explain how I feel right now."
McKoy was remanded for four years and six months.
