Son acquitted of father’s murder in St Catherine Court after claiming self defence

A 34-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his father was acquitted of murder in the St Catherine Circuit Court today, after the prosecution upheld his claim of self defence.

The accused, Charles Hall, a labourer from Sligoville District in St Catherine, was charged with the murder of his father, 64-year-old Alscott Hall, also a labourer from Kensington District, Sligoville.

When the case was heard before Justice Yvonne Brown, the prosecution was unable to disprove the claim of self defence.

Attorney-at-law Davion Vassell, representing Charles Hall, argued that his client was attacked by his father, who inflicted a wound to his hand with a machete.

Hall reportedly wrested the machete away from his father, but when his father attempted to attack him again, his son stabbed him in the chest with a knife. Alscott Hall succumbed to his injuries.

The court heard that the post-mortem examination supported the self defence claim, revealing that Charles Hall had defensive wounds.

As a result, Hall was acquitted of all charges.

According to the allegations, around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2023, a dispute between the accused and his father escalated into a physical confrontation at their home. During the altercation, the elder Hall reportedly attacked his son with a machete, leading Charles Hall to stab his father in self defence.

Both men sustained injuries, and Charles Hall sought medical attention following the incident.

He was later arrested, charged, and made multiple court appearances while maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.

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