KINGSTON, Jamaica — Defence attorneys representing the three Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers, who are charged with the alleged murder of Keith Clarke in May 2010, are asking that proceedings against the accused be abandoned after producing an immunity certificate signed by then Minister of National Security Peter Bunting.

Attorney Paul Beswick this morning told the court that the officers were given immunity from prosecution as they were acting in good faith.

He also argued that the certificate can only be invalid if it is challenged.

The order, which was read in court, asked for the accused men to be exempted from prosecution as they were acting in good faith in the exercise of their functions as members of the security forces for public safety, the restoration of order, the preservation of peace and in the public’s interest.

The soldiers, Lance Corporals Greg Tinglin and Odel Buckley, and Private Arnold Henry, are to be tried for the May 2010 killing of Clarke at his Kirkland Heights, St Andrew home during the hunt for then Tivoli Gardens don Christopher “Dudus” Coke.

The JDF alleged that Clarke’s house was raided based on intelligence that Coke may have been hiding there.

An autopsy revealed that Clarke was shot more than 20 times.

Tanesha Mundle