Attorneys who defended three of the men released by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes in the ongoing trial of alleged members of the Klansman gang on Tuesday said the ruling had been anticipated, given the anaemic evidence brought against their clients.

The three men — Kevaughn Green (the brother of gang leader Andre “Blackman” Bryan); Kalifa Williams, otherwise called Baba; and Pete Miller, also known as Smokie, were on Tuesday morning declared not guilty on count two on the indictment brought by the Crown, which addresses membership of a criminal organisation. The men had remained on count 2, which is the last of the 25-count indictment to be assessed by the trial judge in respect of the 23 remaining accused. So far in the trial, which began with 33 accused in September 2021, nine have been freed. One was killed while on bail. Williams, the Jamaica Observer subsequently learnt, has another case before the courts so, while he was freed in the Klansman trial, he will remain in custody.

On Tuesday, attorneys for Williams — Abina Morris and Patrice Riley — were upbeat about the result.

“I am very happy for our client because Mr Williams was tried on a previous occasion for a similar offence and that case collapsed. On the day he was released he was actually charged again for this matter, so I am very happy for him, the evidence was just not there,” Morris told the Observer.

“I echo the sentiments of co-counsel. We are happy for our clients and as defence counsel we are interested in justice — justice for Jamaica, justice for our clients, and we believe justice has been done in this matter,” Riley said.

“The fact is, the law tells you there are certain things you have to do to satisfy certain criteria in a charge, and if it is not, then there is nothing you can do but release the man. As defence attorneys, too, we take a wholesome look at these situations and we speak to our clients after to say if there was any [modicum of truth in the case against them], you know what has to happen now because we all want a better Jamaica,” she stated.

The lanky Williams, in being told he was freed on Tuesday, noisily walked from the dock to be cuffed before being led from the courtroom to be processed.

Shadae Bailey, attorney for Pete Miller, said the not guilty verdict for her client had long been expected.

“He was in custody at all material times when the particular witness claims to have seen him on a murder scene and also at meetings, and the court declared today that he is not guilty,” she said.

She told the Observer that Miller said, “Thank you, Miss Bailey, thank you,” upon being freed.

The diminutive Miller, who sat with his feet dangling just above the floors of the dock, uttered, “Thank you, Jesus,” before rising and moving to be cuffed by a policeman who led him from the courtroom. Miller, who divided his time in the days between mumbling and reading a small Bible, left behind several inscriptions which he had carved into the benches using a small screw. These included “Freedom is a muss”, “Do road”, and the opening verses of the revered Shepherd’s Psalm, Psalm 23.

Also on Tuesday, Anna-Kay Kelly, who appeared with attorney Shannan Clarke for Green, told the Observer, “We are satisfied with the verdict. The evidence just wasn’t there against him, and we are most satisfied with the decision made by the honourable chief justice. We have been in dialogue throughout. I know he is happy at the verdict and happy that he would be out, there is some bitter-sweetness because he is leaving his brother in custody; however, at the very least, he is out of custody,” she said.

Bryan became emotional Tuesday after Green walked free. Green, who is normally seated by his brother, with whom he from time to time engaged in whispered conversations throughout the trial, left the dock without a backward glance. Just moments before Bryan had gripped Green tightly by the wrist, anchoring him to the bench as he would have shot to his feet before the trial judge ordered him to stand. Once told he was free to go, Green left the dock with an inscrutable expression. Moments later, Bryan was observed with a black and white handkerchief which he used to rub his eyes and nose above his blue mask. Bryan has been found guilty of being the leader of the notorious gang and engineering several offences in the marathon trial which is in its final stages.

The matter resumes this morning at 10:00 with the assurance from the chief justice that it would be the final sitting before the guilty are sentenced.