Three more teenagers accused of murdering Kellon Hill have been cleared of all charges by a judge — leaving just one on trial over the killing.

Puisne Justice Charles-Etta Simmons told lawyers on Friday afternoon that Gary Hollis, 16, Kevin Warner, 19, and Zharrin Simmons, 17, should be acquitted because they have no case to answer based on the evidence from prosecution witnesses.

Defence lawyers made the "no case" application after the prosecution case closed last week.

The judge freed the trio on bail after ruling in their favour late on Friday afternoon.

However, she then banned the media from reporting this fact until she told the jury, which had already been sent home for the weekend.

The trio emerged from court on Friday afternoon amid scenes of jubilation from their friends and family.

The move came after the judge told the jury on Friday morning to clear co-accused Devon Hairston over the killing, again on the basis of "no case to answer".

When the jury returned to court yesterday morning, Mrs. Justice Simmons instructed the foreman to formally find Mr. Warner, Ms Simmons and Mr. Hollis not guilty of the murder and weapons possession charges they faced.

The three teenagers showed little emotion as the foreman did so, before walking free from court with their names clear.

They declined to comment, as did their lawyers, with the exception of Ms Simmons' attorney Mark Pettingill who said: "She's obviously very pleased with the result but she expressed to me right away that she does feel deeply for the Hill family.

"She recognises the tragedy there but maintains the fact that she's not guilty."

Kevin Warner told The Royal Gazette as he left court on bail on Friday that he felt "wonderful".

Mr. Hill's family declined to comment at that time and his close relatives were not present in court yesterday morning.

Now just one defendant of the original five, Kellan Lewis, 17, remains on trial accused of the murder of 18-year-old Mr. Hill.

The victim died from a stab wound to the heart inflicted upon him as he left a party at Elbow Beach late on August 9 last year.

Opening the case for the Crown on June 2, prosecutor Michael McColm alleged that Lewis and Mr. Hollis snatched a gold chain from around Mr. Hill's neck. He claimed that Mr. Warner, Mr. Hairston and Ms Simmons 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 Ms 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 Mr. Warner.

Lewis denies murder and possession of a knife in a public place.

The case continued yesterday, with him taking the stand in his own defence (see separate story).

The judge warned the jury before the case resumed that the fact that four defendants were no longer before them should not influence their verdict on Lewis.

She told them they should base their verdict solely on the evidence against Lewis, although other evidence they've heard in the case may assist them in reaching their conclusions.