One of three men accused of attempted murder walked free from court yesterday.

After a morning of legal discussion, Acting Chief Justice Norma Wade-Miller directed the jury to find Davon Michael Marson, 29, not guilty of the attempted murder of Kuma Smith and possession of an offensive weapon. She said the evidence did not support the charges again him.

The case continues today with Harron Lee Powell Evans, 31, and Akono Shakir Parsons, 24, on trial. They have both denied attempting to murder Mr. Smith in January 2005.

Evans, represented by Victoria Pearman and Charles Richardson, has denied further charges of causing damage and possessing an offensive weapon.

Parsons has denied causing damage and assault. He is represented by Rick Woolridge.

The trial has already heard how an alleged machete and hoe attack left Mr. Smith with a cut to his left arm so deep that it fractured one of the bones in his forearm ? and almost severed tendons that allow his fingers to move.

The jury has heard the prosecution claim that Mr. Smith was set upon in the Deepdale area of Pembroke and was pursued by Evans and Parsons, who allegedly attacked him with a machete and hoe after he dived into the back of a passing dump truck while trying to escape.

The prosecution yesterday told the jury that it had closed its case and had finished calling its evidence.

The trial is due to enter its eighth day today.