The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was acquitted of a 2014 murder in Mason’s Addition in which the victim was shot twice in the head. Kirkwood Rolle, 35, was unanimously found not guilty of murder by a nine-member jury after several hours of deliberation.

Justice Roberto Reckley told Rolle he was free to go, provided he had no other matters before the court. Prosecutors alleged that Rolle shot Clarence “Drops” Newry Coakley in the head as he sat behind a house on Saxon’s Way in Mason’s Addition on May 7, 2014.

Coakley, who was wearing an electronic monitoring device at the time, died at the scene.

The gunman reportedly fled on foot.

Testimony from an anonymous witness was entered into evidence, claiming that after hearing gunshots, the witness saw Rolle, dressed in all black and holding a gun, running towards and entering a car.

Rolle maintained his innocence throughout the trial, insisting he was nowhere near the scene of the shooting. During closing arguments, the prosecution sought to discredit the testimony of Marvinique, a witness who provided Rolle with an alibi.

Prosecutors argued that she had not told police she was with Rolle at Smith’s Motel on the night of the murder and had only come forward 12 years later. They also characterised her testimony as inconsistent.

Kristin Butler-Beneby prosecuted the case, while Marianne Cadet represented Rolle.