The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT - After a week-long trial, Dareo Smith was acquitted of murder in the Supreme Court on Monday.

Senior Justice Hartman Longley told Smith, 19, that he was discharged of murder and that he was free to go after the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict of 12-0.

The jury of six men and women retired around 2pm for deliberations and returned with their verdict around 4pm.

Smith was accused of the stabbing death of Tamaro Johnson at Club Rock 'n Roll in the International Bazaar on March 6, 2011. Johnson and his friends were involved in an altercation with a group of men at the club.

Mario Gray represented Smith, who gave sworn testimony under oath on the witness stand on Friday.

Prosecutor Erica Kemp and Olivia Blatch of the Attorney General's Office appeared on behalf of the Crown.