Keith Clarke murder trial put off, DPP explains why

The Keith Clarke murder trial has been postponed in a move which the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paula Llewellyn, has said is in the interest of fairness to the accused soldiers.

The case, which has been before the courts since 2012, is now set to start on October 12.

Llwellyn, says the ongoing West Kingston Commission of Enquiry was a major reason for her office agreeing with a request from defense lawyers for the trial to be delayed again.

She explains that if the trial had gone ahead and the accused were convicted and the decision appealed, the higher court would consider whether the accused was fairly treated.

Meanwhile, Llewellyn is insisting that the Crown has been ready for the trial.

Some of the lawyers in the Keith Clarke matter are also involved in the West Kingston Enquiry.

Lance Corporals Greg Tinglin and Odel Buckley and Private Arnold Henry have been charged with Clarke's murder.

Clarke, who was an accountant, was shot dead by members of the security forces at his East Kirkland Heights home in St Andrew in May 2010 during the hunt for West Kingston crime lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

A post mortem report showed that Clarke was shot more than 20 times.