State Prosecutor Rhondel Weever with guidance from Director of Public Prosecu-tions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack last night appealed a verdict of acquittal delivered by the jury in the Terrence Moffat murder trial.
The appeal was filed hours after the mixed jury, when asked what their verdict was, responded to the court by saying “8 to 4”. Weever in a brief comment last night said that the jury, when asked for clarification on what they meant by “8 to 4”, did not provide a proper explanation.
A unanimous verdict (10 to 12 jury members agreeing) is needed to pronounce an accused guilty or not guilty of murder, the prosecutor explained. An 8 to 4 verdict cannot be accepted.
When questioned further about whether their 8 to 4 pronouncement was in relation to manslaughter, Weever explained, the jury told the court that they did not consider the lesser count during their deliberations and later stated that they unanimously found the accused Tarel Edwards not guilty of murder.
After more than 3 hours of deliberation yesterday afternoon the jury returned to the courtroom of Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes. Following the delivery of the verdict of acquittal, the prosecution applied for a stay in proceedings to seek further advice from the DPP Ali-Hack.
In-chamber discussions were subsequently conducted among the prosecution team, the judge and defence