UPHOLSTERER Christopher Dixon was yesterday acquitted of murder for the death of TV psychic Safa Asuntuwa in 2002.

Dixon, who was represented by attorney Tom Tavares-Finson in the Home Circuit Court, was freed by a panel of 12 jurors who deliberated for two hours.

Following the verdict Dixon's mother said: "[It is] 12 years mi son inna custody for something he didn't do. God bless Mr Tavares-Finson."

The 33-year-old resident of Seaview Gardens, Kingston 11, has been on trial since last week. This is his second time Dixon is being tried for the murder.

His first trial in 2003 ended with a conviction but he challenged the verdict and the Court of Appeal in 2004 ordered a retrial.

Twenty-nine-year-old Asuntuwa was beaten to death between June 24 and 25, 2002 and his body found in a gully off the Cavaliers main road in St Andrew on June 25.

Dixon and another man were reportedly the last to have seen Asuntuwa alive.

The recent trial had to be conducted without the main witness as the police was unable to locate him. However, his deposition was read into evidence.

Dixon, in an unsworn statement from the prisoners' dock, denied any involvement in the killing.