In a decisive courtroom ruling, former calypso monarch Aziza Kebret Tsgaye Clarke was exonerated on Thursday when the No. 5 Supreme Court determined she had no case to answer regarding charges of assisting an offender. Justice Pamela Beckles delivered the judgment, characterizing the evidence presented by police investigators as “manifestly unreliable and poor.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney and Senior State Counsel Kevin Forde, had accused Clarke of transporting Hakeem Stuart from Briar Hall to Graeme Hall, Christ Church on March 21, 2019, allegedly to impede his lawful apprehension for murder or another arrestable offense. The State contended Clarke had knowledge of Stuart’s actions.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case earlier this week, Clarke’s defense team—comprising senior counsels Michael Lashley, Angella Mitchell-Gittens, and defense attorney Sade Harris—filed a no-case submission. They successfully argued that the prosecution failed to establish any evidence demonstrating their client’s awareness of Stuart’s alleged crimes.
Justice Beckles ruled emphatically in favor of the defense, stating: “Having reviewed all the evidence before the court and all the submissions, I conclude that the case against the accused is not very thin. It is less than thin!” She further explained that even considering circumstantial evidence at its strongest, and drawing all reasonable inferences favorable to the prosecution, no properly directed jury could conclude guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge highlighted the critical failure of the investigation, noting that the evidence from investigating officers was “so discredited upon cross-examination that they failed to make up the case for the prosecution.”
Emotional scenes unfolded in the courtroom as Clarke, a resident of Bonnetts, Brittons Hill, St Michael, broke down in tears upon hearing the verdict. Justice Beckles instructed the jury of six women and three men to return a formal not-guilty verdict.
Outside the Supreme Court Complex, Clarke expressed her gratitude to supporters, stating: “I don’t really have much to say. I just want to thank God, thank my lawyers, thank the judge and the jury and everybody who supported me on this journey. It wasn’t much people, but I am thankful for the few I had. God is the greatest.”