By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
PROSECUTORS yesterday produced a written directive mid-trial from the Office of the Attorney General requesting that proceedings be discontinued against two brothers accused of a 2011 murder.
Demetri Cleare, 26, and Dorian Cleare, 29, have been on trial before Justice Gregory Hilton since August 10 in connection with the March 20, 2011 fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Renaldo Appoleon.
Appoleon – of Fourth Street, Coconut Grove – collapsed and died at the junction of Fourth Street and Palm Tree Avenue from the stab wounds he had received during a fight at “It Is What It Is” Barber Shop and Lounge.
Prosecutors alleged that the younger brother gave a signed confession to police connecting both siblings to the crime.
Demetri Cleare and his lawyer Glendon Rolle maintained that the statement was obtained through physical force.
The Crown intended to call two key witnesses who had reportedly seen the incident.
However, the two witnesses did not show for court, and prosecutor Uel Johnson made an application for their police statements to be admitted into evidence as allowed by Section 66 of the Evidence Act.
Justice Hilton dismissed the application, however, after determining that the witnesses had been served with summonses for court, but failed to appear.
The nolle prosequi was presented by the prosecutor yesterday.
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