LAWYERS representing the three Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers who have been charged with the controversial killing of businessman Keith Clarke appear to be hinging their hopes on inconsistencies relating to the origin of a round of ammunition taken from the crime scene.

The three accused are Lance Corporals Greg Tinglin and Odel Buckley and Private Arnold Henry.

Clarke, an accountant, was killed at his East Kirkland Heights, St Andrew home during a search for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke following the Tivoli Gardens incursion in May 2010.

When the matter came up for mention in the Supreme Court on Friday, attorney Linton Gordon, who is among the battery of lawyers representing the three, requested more time for an analysis to be conducted on a round of high-powered ammunition that was found near the scene of the shooting.

According to him, the item was analysed and inconsistencies pointed out.

He told the court that the defence had engaged the services of an independent ballistics expert from the United Kingdom to determine whether the bullet came from any of the weapons that were in the possession of the accused.

Linton told the court that the test results should be available close to the end of May.

When questioned by the Jamaica Observer outside the courtroom last week, Linton said the initial results of the analysis raises many questions including the possibility that some other high-powered weapon -- other than those of members of the security forces -- may have been discharged during the incident.

Following the submission by Gordon, the trial date was set for July 1.

The men's bail was extended.