One of the five teenagers accused of murdering Kellon Hill walked free from court this morning after the judge instructed the jury to acquit him.

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons told the jury she’d considered an application made by Devon Hairston’s lawyer at the close of the prosecution case that there was no case for him to answer.

She said she accepted the application, and as a matter of law, she asked the foreman of the jury to clear Mr. Hairston of both charges that he faced: murder and possessing a crash helmet as an offensive weapon.

The foreman did so, and Mr. Hairston walked free from court and into the embraces of his family and friends. He told The Royal Gazette he was relieved, adding: “It’s messed up what happened to him (Mr. Hill) but I’m glad the judge found me not guilty. I had nothing to do with it.”

Mr. Hill, 18, died from a stab wound to the heart inflicted upon him as he left a party at Elbow Beach late on the night of August 9 last year. Opening the case for the Crown on June 2, prosecutor Michael McColm alleged that Kellan Lewis, 17, and Gary Hollis, 16, snatched a gold chain from around Mr. Hill’s neck. A fight ensued, and Kevin Warner, Mr. Hairston, 18, and a girl, Zharrin Simmons, 17, allegedly joined the other two in striking Mr. Hill.

Next, Mr. McColm said, Lewis removed a knife from his pants and stabbed the victim around his chest and body, before Simmons stuck Mr. Hill with a screwdriver. The court heard Mr. Hill stayed on his feet and tried to get away but was struck with a walking cane by Warner.

The remaining defendants deny the charges against them.

See tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette for the full story.