The family of George Kelly spoke yesterday of their relief and satisfaction that Gernell Darrell had been convicted of his murder.

One of Mr. Kelly's brothers, Noel Minors, said he still had minor doubts about the conviction but in general was happy with the decision.

A Supreme Court jury on Thursday night found Darrell guilty of murdering homeless Mr. Kelly on May 31 last year by stabbing him once through the heart at a taxi rank in Church Street, Hamilton.

Darrell, 23, of Swansbay Hill, Pembroke, who denied murder, claimed he stabbed Mr. Kelly, but said it was slightly earlier in the evening at the nearby bus station.

He said it happened immediately after Mr. Kelly, 42, stabbed him in the chest with a screwdriver and not, as the Crown claimed, several minutes after the first attack.

Darrell's lawyer Sen. Mark Pettingill raised the possibility that another man committed the murder later in the evening and said the Crown case was contradictory and unsafe. He is appealing the verdict.

Mr. Minors told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I am glad its over so the matter is closed. I'm sorry it had to happen to the young guy (Darrell) - it's a life wasted.

"I am happy with the verdict and my family is. I spoke to my mother as soon as I heard the verdict and she was a lot relieved.

"I do have a little bit of doubt, although if he hadn't admitted it, he wouldn't be where he is today. And if he's covering for someone, more fool he."

Mr. Minors said despite the murder, he would continue to be friends with Darrell's mother, and he praised the way Police and Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo handled the case.

"The Police have been very good and kept us informed every step of the way. I am pleased with the outcome even though his (Darrell's) mother and I are friends. We will still be friends and there will be no animosity between us," he said.

Another of Mr. Kelly's brothers, Calvin Minors, said: "Its a very good verdict and now that it's been brought in we can get on with our life.

"I know my mother feels more relaxed. I felt that he (Darrell) was involved and he has to accept the verdict that was brought in. The DPP did a wonderful job in directing the jury."