Accused in ‘unknown’ murder freed

After spending more than six years of his life in jail awaiting trial for the murder of an unknown person, Devon Paul, 23, was freed by Justice Franklyn Holder in the High Court.

The decision came after Justice Holder did not permit the caution statements taken from the defendant to be admitted as evidence in the trial,after a voir dire (trial within a trial).

After the prosecution lead its case based on the evidence of three witnesses, Paul’s attorneys, Debra Backer and Emily Dodson, made a no-case submission to the court, which was upheld by Justice Holder. Justice Holder then instructed the jury to return a not guilty verdict that resulted in Paul being set free.

Paul had been imprisoned since he was 16.