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Trio cleared of invading home with fake gun

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Not guilty: Jasmin Smith

A trio accused of invading a home armed with a fake gun walked free after a Supreme Court jury unanimously cleared them of all charges.Emotional family members packed the courtroom yesterday as the jury delivered its verdict following hours of deliberation.Terrence Christopher, 22, of Sandys, and Tyrone Pedro, 22, and Jasmin Smith, 20, of Pembroke, had been jointly accused of aggravated burglary with a machete.They were also alleged to have used an imitation firearm to commit an indictable offence during an April 2, 2012 attack on a Devonshire home.The two-week trial began with four accused.Shayne James, 19, was cleared of all charges halfway through, following a successful application by lawyer Elizabeth Christopher that there was no case against her client.Following the verdict, an outbreak of applause in the courtroom drew a sharp rebuke from Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves.Family members told The Royal Gazette they were too emotional to speak as the visibly relieved defendants walked out.The three had been defended by Charles Richardson, Larry Mussenden and Craig Attridge, respectively.They were accused of an attack in which jewellery, a video game set and cannabis were taken from a residence, and occupants were threatened with a machete and imitation handgun.For Mr Christopher, Mr Pedro and Mr James, the case meant a return to the dock — their trial last year under the same charges having been declared a mistrial in December.

Not guilty: Terrence Christopher
Not guilty: Tyrone Pedro