By Suelika N. Buchanan
Editor-SKNVIbes.com
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Sheldon Cannonier a.k.a. Sword with his lawyer Anthony Johnson. Photos by Suelika N. Buchanan |
Sheldon Cannonier a.k.a. Sword twitched impatiently in court, with a serious look on his face as he listened to the prosecutor's last witness. He sat on the bench at the Basseterre High Court next Crispin Prentice.
Both men were charged with Murder of 17-year-old Akeel "Smoke Up" Brookes who was shot in the head at Warner Park while he attended a Car Show on June 27, 2004.
Cannonier was arrested and held in custody for the crime a few days after the murder.
His lawyer Anthony Johnson argued that the police had no evidence against his client to charge him with the crime.
Still Cannonier listened intently and shook his head from time to time at what the prosecutor's Sergeant James Sutton, the last witness to testify in the matter was saying.
Finally Cannonier was hearing the words he was longing to hear for two years now.
The High Court Judge Francis Belle instructed the jurors that ~~Adz:Right~~there was not enough evidence against him, according to the Director of Public Prosecution Dennis Merchant. He told the jurors that they are to come up with a "not guilty" verdict for Cannonier.
After they did so Judge Belle told Cannonier that he is now free to leave and that the matter should be a lesson to him and that he should go into the world and be good.
Cannonier left the court overwhelmed with smiles and relief at being clear of the charge.
Some of his "posse" were outside the court and in the Independence Square awaiting for him to return to them. For two years he has been locked away with from loved ones, and during the two years his son had turned four and started pre-school.
The 24-year-old father told SKNVibes that he feels excited about his release.
"I was in prison for two years innocently and I'm so happy that now I can be with my friends and family," he said. "I am now ready to go into the work field.
Prentice is now facing the charge of murder by his lonesome the case is expected to wrap up by Monday June 12, 2006.
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| Cannonier (center) pictured with family and friends. |
