The High Court has dismissed the murder charge against Dexter Scotland, a resident of Willikies after finding there was no case for him to answer.

On Tuesday, Justice Ann Marie Smith upheld a no-case submission by the defence, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish that the killing of Jahfari Isaac, 25, also of Willikies, was unlawful.

The court found that the issue of self-defence had been sufficiently raised during the trial. Defence attorney Andrew O’Kola argued that Scotland believed Isaac was reaching for a firearm when he placed his hand near his waist, prompting Scotland to fire the fatal shot.

In delivering her ruling, Justice Smith found that the prosecution had failed to disprove the claim of self-defence, resulting in the dismissal of the murder charge.

The prosecution has indicated its intention to appeal the court’s decision.

The case arose from a shooting at a bar in Willikies on June 4th 2023. Isaac was shot multiple times and remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at hospital for nine days before dying on June 13th 2023.

Scotland was later arrested and charged with Isaac’s murder.