MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Against the backdrop of Thursday’s open verdict from a seven-member jury in the coroner’s inquest into the death of Jason Neil, both his father, Bunny Neil, and the lawyer for the widow of the businessman say there is a feeling of being “vindicated”.

In interviews outside the Coroner’s Court moments after the verdict was delivered, the elder Neil and attorney Christopher Honeywell addressed the matter.

Bunny Neil, who through his attorneys had applied on April 27, 2023 for the inquest into his son’s death, accepted the decision of the jury.

“First, I say my son’s name was vindicated, and I am glad we went this route to clear his name, so we can no longer say it was suicide. I must say thanks to my lawyers. They were awesome, great, and they did a wonderful job,” he said.

The elder Neil said it has been a challenging period since his son’s death six years ago.

“It was rough, but we accept the open [verdict] by the court,” he said.

King’s Counsel KD Knight and attorney Ashley Ximines represented Bunny Neil. On Thursday, Knight was absent from court due to reported illness. Attorneys Rasha Palmer and Lisa-Mae Lewinson filled in for him.

Meanwhile, attorney-at-law Christopher Honeywell, who represented Jason Neil’s widow and her family, said his clients accept the verdict.

“The matter has been painful to the family. They have been in many ways castigated in the public domain. They have, however, turned up in court and they have given their account of what they did on the day and it is clear from what his wife and his extended family did that they extended all possible efforts that they could have to try to save Jason’s life,” Honeywell said.

“We wish that this can give them some closure that the matter has been vindicated in court. A jury of their peers has deliberated on it and we are certain that no fingers are being pointed at them in terms of what they did or might not have done, despite what some of the comments in the public domain might have been,” added Honeywell.

Businessman Jason Neil was found with a gunshot wound in a bathroom of his house on Julie Drive in the upscale community of Ingleside.

Police reported that on December 4, 2018 about 7:00 am, Neil’s then-pregnant wife heard an explosion, and when she went to investigate, he was allegedly seen on the floor with his licensed firearm beside him. He was pronounced dead at hospital.

During the inquest 10 people, including relatives of Neil, his widow, police detectives, forensic and firearm experts, and pathologist Dr Alphea Neblett gave evidence.

The compelling aspects of the inquest included Dr Neblett’s testimony that there was a perforating gunshot wound to the right side of Jason Neil’s head. She explained that the entrance wound was located on the right temple and there was a muzzle imprint around the entrance wound as well as soot (gun powder) in the wound tract.

According to Dr Neblett, the direction of the projectile (bullet) was from right to left. She also said the exit wound was on the left temple region of the head.

“There were no other injuries seen. No evidence of significant natural pathology (disease),” the forensic pathologist told the inquest.

Additionally, a forensics expert gave evidence that no gunshot residue was found on either Jason Neil’s or his widow’s hands.

On Thursday, the foreman for the seven-member jury, after a 30-minute deliberation, told Coroner Monique Harrison of the jury’s open verdict.

Harrison explained that the verdict brings the matter to a close as there was insufficient evidence to determine the cause of death resulting from gunshot wound by way of murder or suicide.

However, if further evidence becomes available the matter can be reopened.