The remaining two defendents have been found not guilty.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

Answers

Hardly a surprise, given the judge's summing up. So, just where does this put things? Back to square one - or worse - I guess. I'd be surprised if anyone is ever found guilty of this now. Poor kid.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

It begs the question of what was in the jury's mind - did they think the defendents did not kill Damilola, but it was murder, or did they think the death was a tragic accident?

I think the crown's star witness didn't help things. From what I've heard and read reported she didn't come over as the most reliable sounding eye witness. If anything, she damaged the case for the prosecution.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

Very disappointing. I shouldn't be surprised if no-one is ever convicted of this crime now. The star witness for the prosecution was extremely unreliable, although you have to ask what chance a teenage girl has in trying to establish credibilty against highly trained and grossly paid lawyers, from the best schools blah blah blah. Surely we would be better served by a legal system which sought to establish truth rather than the antagonistic system we have at present where every flaw in a witness' character is exposed and every technical detail of the police investigation is gone over to the nth degree, not in a search for truth, but in a search for procedural mistakes. You know the kind of thing - police constable's helmet wasn't on straight when he fingerprinted the accused - case dismissed. Of course, justice MAY have been done here - I've no idea what the case was against the defendants.

One can only feel for the family of Damilolo who will always carry their hurt, whether a successful prosecution is ever brought or not.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

From what I recall from press reports at the time, the girl witness appeared more concerned with maintaining street cred and attitude than being witness to a murder.

Be interesting to see if the police reopen the case or leave it as is, which may suggest they believed they had the right people in the first place.

As an aside, can anyone tell me John Fashinu's qualification for being an unofficial ambassador for Nigeria (is it Nigeria?).

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

From what I've read and heard on tv, it is highly doubtful that this case should have proceeded given the heavy reliance the prosecution case on a very dubious prime witness.

It seems that, as Bobby suggests, the Police are certain the Defendants were actually those "involved" in the incident, and further proceedings now seem unlikely. Sadly, in this tragic case, this isn't enough: the jury must be convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" of the Defendants guilt exclusively by virtue the evidence presented to them. It is a heavy responsibility and they can't afford to be swayed by their emotions.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

As I understand it, this girl was the only eye witness they had. Listening to an interview with the police this afternoon, it seems they just had to go with her. I think they knew that she was a risky witness, but in the absence of anyone else, I guess they just had to hope. They sounded frustrated and very deflated, but not altogether suprised.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002