By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Court Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO men accused of manslaughter in the death of a woman in the 2018 tour boat explosion in Exuma were acquitted in the Supreme Court yesterday.
Clayton Patterson- Smith and Roderick Watson, represented by Murrio Ducille, appeared before Justice Jeanine Weech-Gomez on the final day of their trial.
They both faced charges of manslaughter by negligence.
Patterson-Smith faced an additional charge of negligently endangering a vessel while Watson faced four counts of causing harm by negligence.
It was alleged that on June 30, 2018 the two, due to negligence, were responsible for the boat explosion that caused the death of 39-year-old American tourist Maleka Jackson.
Four other passengers aboard the recreational vessel at the time of the incident were also injured.
After reviewing Mr Ducille’s no case submission, Justice Weech-Gomez ruled that the prosecution, led by Crown prosecutor Raquel Whymms, lacked sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.
Under the justice’s direction, the jury acquitted the defendants, finding them not guilty of all charges against them.
Both men appeared relieved as they left the court after their official dismissal.
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