A man who was accused of a 2011 murder was formally discharged from court this morning after the Director of Public Prosecutions deemed that it was not in the public interest to continue the case to a second retrial.

Devon Hewey had been charged in connection with the killing of Randy Robinson but a nolle prosequi was filled today, bringing the matter to a close without verdict.

The former defendant told the court: “It has been a long time coming. This is a relief.”

He had been convicted by a jury in 2013 for the fatal shooting of Mr Robinson, who was 22 when he was shot on March 31, 2011.

A statement sent this morning on behalf of Cindy Clarke, the DPP, explained that Mr Hewey successfully appealed to the Privy Council.

In 2022, though the case against him was described as strong, a Privy Council panel set aside the conviction because of deficiencies in the trial judge’s directions concerning gunshot-residue evidence.

The Court of Appeal subsequently ordered a retrial.

Owing to various delays, including the settlement of Mr Hewey’s legal representation, the retrial did not begin until May this year.

However, on July 1 the jury was discharged after multiple interruptions during the case made it unviable to complete proceedings, the statement added.

Ms Clarke said today: “Following the discharge of the jury, I carefully reviewed whether the public interest would be served by commencing yet another trial.

“I considered the gravity of the allegation, the interests of the victim’s family and the community, the passage of more than 15 years, the cumulative delays, and the practical and evidential difficulties associated with presenting a case of this age fairly and effectively.

“Having weighed all of those matters, I concluded that it was not in the public interest for the prosecution to continue.”

She paid tribute to the victim’s mother, Roydelle Robinson, said to have shown “patience, steadfastness and strength” over the course of the original trial, appeals and the lengthy retrial process.

Ms Clarke added: “Ms Robinson has conducted herself with extraordinary courage and dignity throughout a process that no mother should ever have been required to endure.

“This decision does not diminish her son’s life, the profound loss suffered by his family or the seriousness of the allegation.”

The statement noted that a nolle prosequi is not an acquittal by a jury and is not a judicial declaration of innocence.

It added: “Equally, it is not a finding of guilt.

“It brings the present proceedings to an end without a verdict determining the merits of the case.”

Puisne Judge Alan Richards formally discharged Mr Hewey today.

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