The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court jury unanimously acquitted a man of trying to murder two policemen who were making an arrest after a shooting.

Lavardo Miller, 29, of Nassau Village was told that he was "free to go" by Justice Roy Jones yesterday after the two 9-0 verdicts of "not guilty" were announced.

Miller, also known as "Siggy" had been on trial from May 28, charged with two counts of attempted murder.

He was accused of shooting Detective Corporal 518 Earl Johnson and shooting at Detective Constable 2290 Bruce Chisholm on February 17, 2009, in Nassau Village.

The officers were on patrol in the area that afternoon when gun shots were heard.

They went to investigate the shooting when they caught a glimpse of a man, alleged to have been Miller, running with an object in his hand, later revealed to be a gun.

The officers split up and Cpl Johnson ended up chasing the suspect into a bushy backyard where he was shot in the leg and almost shot again.

His partner intervened and was also shot at before the culprit made his escape.

The court heard testimony from the officers and a female witness presented by prosecutor Anthony Delaney. Miller was defended by Joseph D'Areuil.

After summing up the evidence, Justice Jones excused the jury at 12.30pm to deliberate on a verdict. They returned nearly three hours later with unanimous "not guilty" verdicts.

Igallie Miller, aunt of the man who walked free, expressed her relief that her "prayers were answered".

She said: "That's my nephew. I say if God is on your side, you'll make it.

"I say Lord if he do the crime, let him spend the time. But I know he was an innocent man from day one and I trust in God and I know he cares for me and cares for others.

"He's free so I'll be taking him home with me when I go," she added.

Several police officers were shocked at the outcome, certain that the jury would come through with a conviction in this retrial.

The first trial, which took place in August last year, had been declared a mistrial after the judge revealed the discovery of a potential conflict in the matter concerning a juror and their connection to a witness in the case.