A teenager accused of murdering 18-year-old Kellon Hill has been released on $25,000 bail, it emerged yesterday.

Kellan Lewis, 17, walked out of prison on Monday without a hearing in open court.

He will have to reappear in Supreme Court on September 1.

Lewis was one of five defendants accused of murdering Mr. Hill as he left a late-night party at Elbow Beach nearly a year ago, on August 9.

Prosecutors alleged that he snatched a gold chain from around Mr. Hill's neck, starting a fight, and that he later used a knife to stab the victim around his chest and body, causing a fatal wound to his heart.

The other four defendants Kevin Warner, 19, Zharrin Simmons, 17, Gary Hollis, 16, and Devon Hairston, 18 were also alleged by prosecutors to have been part of a fight with the victim and to have used weapons against him.

However Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons directed the jury to find them not guilty at the close of the prosecution case, on the basis that they had no case to answer based on the evidence.

And on Friday, a Supreme Court jury failed to reach a verdict on the murder charge or knife possession after seven hours of deliberation.

Lewis denied murdering 18-year-old Kellan Hill throughout the nine-week trial.

The Royal Gazette understands that in closed chambers late Friday evening, a bail hearing took place with prosecution lawyers and Lewis' counsel.

However when counsel emerged from chambers, Mrs. Justice Simmons only said the matter was adjourned to September 1 and made reference to the issue of bail.

Yesterday in response to questions from this newspaper, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Michael McColm confirmed the matter and said: "Lewis was granted bail on Friday by Justice Simmons in chambers. That she did not indicate in court that Lewis had been granted bail was a matter for Her Ladyship."

Lewis was released from the Co-educational Correctional Facility on Monday morning after paperwork was signed off.

Questions to the Supreme Court Registry as to why there was no public announcement that bail was granted were met with no response.

Lewis was ordered to report to Police three times a week.