Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Spanish Town

Police Constable Basil Hutchinson, who was charged for the 2000 murder of Magabi Smith, was freed in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The court ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to send Mr Hutchinson to Circuit Court and Resident Magistrate Lorna Errar ruled that the case be dismissed for want of prosecution. The policeman wept as he walked out the court.

The Crown led evidence that about 11 a.m. on Easter Monday, 2000, Hutchinson was among a group of policemen who allegedly shot and killed Smith. Hutchinson has maintained his innocence, saying it was self defence.

It was three years after in 2003 that the Director of Public Prosecutions handed down a ruling, that the constable should be charged with murder arising from the incident.

Hutchinson first appeared in court on October 31, 2003. He was represented by attorney-at-law Carlton Collman.