Jury finds man innocent of violent attacks
yesterday cleared of all charges.
Roger Eugene Lightbourne said he was a victim of mistaken identity when witnesses said they recognised him from the fight in a dark parking lot more than two years ago.
A jury of seven men and five women found him innocent of fracturing a man's skull and injuring three others after a week-long trial.
The trial heard of a 2 a.m. brawl outside St. George's Beach Club after a reggae session.
Defence lawyer Mr. Archie Warner suggested the fight was between posses from two ends of the Island who supported rival sound systems, although a key prosecution witness said gangs were not involved.
Lightbourne, 25, of Sound View Road, Somerset, denied all charges against him.
He said he was hit with a bat and attacked by members of the crowd.
A majority of 10 to two jurors cleared him of wounding Aaron Woolridge with intent to do grievous bodily harm, fighting in public and possessing an offensive weapon -- a baseball bat.
An 11 to 1 majority found him not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to brothers Sean Bobby Smith and Angelo Smith.
He was unanimously cleared of causing bodily harm to Sean David Hollis.
The Smith brothers and Hollis were all members of Harlem Hi-Power sound system, which played the night of the fight.
After the verdict, Mr. Warner commented: "Justice is served. My client is free with regard to these charges''.
Asked if he would appeal, Crown prosecutor Mr. Diarmuid Doorly said: "That would have to be subject to review.'' Lightbourne has been charged with robbery and is due in Magistrates' Court on July 5 for the resumption of a preliminary inquiry. He has been remanded in custody.
