A man accused of trying to murder a mother, son and nephew was acquitted of triple attempted murder in Supreme Court when the judge directed the jury to deliver a unanimous not guilty verdict.
Justice Vera Watkins told the nine-member jury that her direction to them to acquit 27-year-old Rafik Turnquest of Toote Shop Corner was a result of closed discussions between herself, defending counsel and the prosecution the previous day.
The offences were alleged to have been committed on April 8, 2011. It was claimed that he tried to murder Joane Forbes, Jamalio Forbes and Arnold Stubbs.
Last week, Jamalio Forbes opted to withdraw the complaint instead of giving evidence.
When she and her nephew got to the open lot, she said she saw Rafik Turnquest looking in the direction of the car. Then she heard “Pap! pap! pap! pap!” and realised that she and her nephew were being shot at, and also realised she was shot.
