Chris Kaba: Justice secretary calls for both sides to respect verdict amid growing anger

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Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood has known as for both sides to respect the verdict after a police officer was cleared of murdering a person he shot within the head in south London two years in the past, sparking protests outdoors the Old Bailey.

She mentioned the “due process of law has now taken place” however added that there’s “work to do to build trust”.

A jury acquitted Martyn Blake of the homicide of Chris Kaba after deliberating for round three hours on Monday.

Mr Kaba’s household, who sat by greater than two weeks of painstaking evaluation of their son’s demise, pledged to “continue fighting” following the verdict.

Dozens of protesters gathered outdoors the Old Bailey on Monday night as a part of a justice marketing campaign arrange in Mr Kaba’s identify.

Asked concerning the end result of the trial on Sky News, the justice secretary mentioned: “Clearly, it’s been a very difficult trial for everybody who’s been involved in it.

“The due process of law has now taken place. You wouldn’t expect the Lord Chancellor to comment, I think, on the specifics of those cases.

“A verdict has been given, that must be respected by all sides. I’m sure everyone involved will want to take some time to process that verdict.

“And clearly, there is some work to do to build trust, both with the police and also with communities as well, which I’m sure the home secretary will be saying more about in the coming days.”

Home secretary Yvette Cooper mentioned she would work with forces “to strengthen confidence for the future”, whereas the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners mentioned it could “reflect on the wider implications” of the case.

In a press release following the verdict, Mr Kaba’s household mentioned: “Today, we are devastated. The not guilty verdict leaves us with the deep pain of injustice adding to the unbearable sorrow we have felt since Chris was killed.

“No family should endure the unimaginable grief we have faced. Chris was stolen from us, and this decision shows his life — and many others like him — does not matter to the system. Our son deserved better.”

Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who’s supporting the household, mentioned the trial confirmed that “nobody is above the law” and known as for “urgent efforts” to rebuild belief between police and communities.

“We’ve got to respect the process and the verdict but (the family) rightfully have questions,” Ms Ribeiro-Addy, who attended the protest on Monday, added.

“I support the right to protest. I support the right people have to ask questions. It’s important we hold our officers to account. We have a system of policing with consent in this country.”

Sir Mark Rowley mentioned Mr Blake made “a huge personal and professional sacrifice” through the two years for the reason that taking pictures, Britain’s most senior officer has mentioned.

Britain’s most senior officer mentioned the marksman had made “a split-second decision on what he believed was necessary to protect his colleagues and to protect London”.

The Crown Prosecution Service and the watchdog that investigated the taking pictures both spoke out to defend bringing felony expenses, saying the choice was made after an in-depth consideration of the proof and that it was proper to put the case earlier than a jury.

The unique determination to cost Mr Blake in September final yr sparked outrage amongst his colleagues, with dozens of armed officers downing instruments in obvious protest and the military being placed on standby to plug the hole.

Mr Blake, 40, stood trial on the Old Bailey after taking pictures the 24-year-old by the entrance windscreen of an Audi Q8 in Streatham, south-east London, on September 5 2022.

The trial heard how the Audi had been used as a getaway car in a taking pictures the earlier night, and was hemmed in by police automobiles in Kirkstall Gardens after an officer recognised its registration quantity.