A High Court judge has dismissed the murder case against Dexter Scotland, ruling that the prosecution failed to disprove his claim of self-defence in the fatal shooting of Jahfari Isaac.
According to Antigua News Room, Justice Ann Marie Smith upheld a no-case submission by the defence, finding that the Crown had not established the killing was unlawful. The judge determined that self-defence had been sufficiently raised by the evidence presented during the trial.
The defence argued that Scotland shot Isaac after believing the victim was reaching for a gun. Justice Smith also cited significant shortcomings in the prosecution's case, including the absence of ballistics evidence and unconfirmed gunshot residue findings.
The prosecution has indicated it will appeal the ruling.
