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UPDATE: Michael Jack not guilty of murder & manslaughter!

Michael Jack, seen here with his mother Lorna Choucoutou, following his acquittal today July 22, 2013, was accused of murdering his half brother Tishawn Henley in November 2012 following a stabbing incident at George's Northside. Photo: VINO
Jack gets a hug and words of comfort from Proprietor of CBN Channel 51, Mr Andrew Cox. Photo: VINO
Jack gets a hug and words of comfort from Proprietor of CBN Channel 51, Mr Andrew Cox. Photo: VINO
The girlfriend of the now deceased Tishawn Henley, Casey Christopher (centre), was among those present throughout the trial. Attorney at Law Stephen Daniels, who represented Jack in the trial, said the only difficulty in the trial was that it was a case involving two brothers where one lost his life.
The girlfriend of the now deceased Tishawn Henley, Casey Christopher (centre), was among those present throughout the trial. Attorney at Law Stephen Daniels, who represented Jack in the trial, said the only difficulty in the trial was that it was a case involving two brothers where one lost his life. "There is no winner or loser in this case, this was not about that," emphasised Daniels. Photo: VINO
Jack was accused of murdering his half brother Tishawn Henley in November 2012 following a stabbing incident at George's Northside. Image: provided
Jack was accused of murdering his half brother Tishawn Henley in November 2012 following a stabbing incident at George's Northside. Image: provided
Michael Jack has been freed of the charges of murder and manslaughter following a not guilty verdict in the High Court today, July 22, 2013. Photo: VINO
Michael Jack has been freed of the charges of murder and manslaughter following a not guilty verdict in the High Court today, July 22, 2013. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - (Post Time: 4:10 P.M.) Minutes ago, July 22, 2013 Michael Jack was acquitted of murder and manslaughter in the High Court of the Virgin Islands after the jury returned a not guilty verdict for both charges.

Jack was accused of murdering his half brother Tishawn Henley in November 2012 following a stabbing incident at George's Northside.

The accused broke into tears and fell into his mother's arms when the unanimous verdict by the jury was announced today. In fact tears fell all over the court room when the verdict was read and saw Jack walking out the High Court a free man after being incarcerated since November 16, 2012.

"I just want to thank the almighty father, the jury, my lawyer, the witnesses, everyone that stood by me and everyone that believed in me," said Jack with tears streaming down his face as he clutched his mother tightly. He said he sees his acquittal as another chance to start his life all over again.

His mother, Ms Lorna Choucoutou, said she had to stand by her son and she did so prayerfully. "God is awesome, he is awesome, that's all I can say my God is awesome. It was really hard but I had faith in my God and he came through for me," she said.

Attorney at Law Stephen Daniels, who represented Jack in the trial, said the only difficulty in the trial was that it was a case involving two brothers where one lost his life. "There is no winner or loser in this case, this was not about that," emphasised Daniels.

The girlfriend of Henley, Casey Christopher, was among those present throughout the trial and even had a loving embrace for the now free Michael Jack.

See previous article posted July 19, 2013

Verdict in Michael Jack murder trial likely on Monday July 22

-both Crown & Defence agree the case is a sad one since defendant & victim were brothers

The final witness in the murder trial of Michael Jack took the stand in the High Court earlier today, July 19, 2013 but the jury will not be giving a verdict just yet.

The crown and defense closed their cases this morning and gave their version of the trial based on the evidence that were presented by a long line of witnesses in the trial.

Both the Crown, represented by Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe, and Defense Attorney Stephen Daniels agreed that the case was a very sad one owning to the fact that the two were brothers. Daniels referred to them as half brothers while Scatliffe used the single word 'brother'.

During her summary submissions this morning, Scatliffe firmly stated, "The worse man in the world does not deserve to die at the hands of another." She sought to establish through the evidence given by witnesses that the accused did indeed murder his brother. "He took that knife out and he stabbed his brother, he pushed it into his brother," argued Scatliffe.

She relied heavily on the evidence given by the former girlfriend of Mr Henley, Ms Casey Christopher who testified to having seen a pushing incident between the two.

The testimony of Forensic Pathologist Dr Bruce Allan Hyma also stood on the side of the crown as outlined by Ms Scatliffe who reiterated that the wound was inflicted by a direct stabbing and that it was thrust into the victim. He had dispelled the notion that it could have been caused by him walking into the knife or from him falling on it.

According to Scatliffe, there were a number of inconsistencies especially in the interview evidence of Micheal Jack as was read in open court.

Attorney at Law Stephen Daniels, who had called two witnesses to testify in the trial, stated categorically that the deceased, Tishawn Henley, constituted his own demise and he placed himself in peril. He stressed on the evidence that the incident was fueled by Henley who was accusing his client of taking his antennae and prevented Jack from leaving the scene despite he was attempting to do so on the day in question.

"Tishawn contributed to his own demise, there was no evidence that Michael intended to kill his brother," Daniels argued.

Justice Albert Redhead will address the jury on Monday July 22, 2013 after which they will deliberate and return with a verdict. 

35 Responses to “UPDATE: Michael Jack not guilty of murder & manslaughter!”

  • ova & out (19/07/2013, 15:26) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    just can't wait until this mess is over
  • Martin (19/07/2013, 15:36) Like (10) Dislike (308) Reply
    guilty guilty guilty
  • egg face (19/07/2013, 15:44) Like (4) Dislike (66) Reply
    Prosecution weak! but I know he did it
    • REAL MCKOY!! (19/07/2013, 15:54) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply
      He said he did it. Nobody is disputing who did it, but how it happened. NOT GUILTY will be the verdict or if possible, involuntary manslaughter. If he listened to his girlfriend and let the man go where he was going it would've never happened. An antenna? The man say he didn't have the antenna and he gone punch up the man face then he get the blade. Lesson learnt the hardest way.
  • Solace (19/07/2013, 16:47) Like (67) Dislike (0) Reply
    This has to be especially hard for their mother. She is perhaps the ultimate victim in this tragedy. May God grant her strength and courage to face each coming day.
  • yes we can (20/07/2013, 13:37) Like (2) Dislike (67) Reply
    what ever the circumstance were you did the crime so do the time
  • Cutty Wise (20/07/2013, 15:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    That was a hell of a closing argument from the prosecution...lets see where it goes
  • just cool (21/07/2013, 09:24) Like (1) Dislike (22) Reply
    So sad.. Jack u my boi but the fact is that you were assaulted yes, but you answered with deadly force. the prosecution proved that he could not have run into the knife and got stab so deeply. strong evidence. lets see what happen.
  • a growing boy needs his food (21/07/2013, 12:37) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    some body buy him food hope its oxtail, rice and peas, patie, and he missing the turtle soup
  • Not fear (22/07/2013, 16:47) Like (3) Dislike (111) Reply
    Manslaughter a least he should gotten it was not intentional .but ....... Wow justice system not fear 10year Ja brothers for chopping a man but no guilty for jack wow
    • Sunny (22/07/2013, 18:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can't be compared. Those guys if they weren't stopped that dude would have die. Jack had no intent to harm his brother he was just defending himself.
    • God Is Able (22/07/2013, 19:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sounds harsh bout those guys intentionally went there to chop the man its not the same. Anybody could End Up killing anybody there are people that even play wrestle and end up killing a friend or Sibling so much people just judging. He was upset, made a very bad choice but who doesn't in a heated moment. Jack and Lorna i'm happy for you. Ask god to forgive you and live your life humbly and thankfully. Rip T.
    • Mick Mars (22/07/2013, 19:16) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      A few things, eh? You lookin' to use the word "FAIR" not "FEAR". Fair is a positive outcome from a situation. For instance you don't think it's fair because he should have been punished in some respect. While I can't agree with you there since I never really followed this case, those two 'JA" brothers lured a man out to a field to chop him up with a machete, a deadly weapon. In my opinion they should have gotten more.

    • look (22/07/2013, 22:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The JA brothers waited six hours after the incident with the girlfriend and the victim to take action in their own hands and chopped the young man.. Micheal did not wait six hours later to stab his bro.. Focus on the facts of the case and not wait is being said on the streets or media..
  • dead man (22/07/2013, 17:03) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Justice in the bvi 101
  • ? (22/07/2013, 17:04) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Ja brothers did what they did intentionally, and Jack did what he did in self- defence. Do not compare one case with the next.
  • dead man (22/07/2013, 17:26) Like (0) Dislike (22) Reply
    not a good sign
    • legal (22/07/2013, 19:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Defense is right in pointing out the holes in the argument of those oppose this verdict. The objectors and distractors are arguing from NO base
  • pic (22/07/2013, 17:35) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
    I think the worse for him is to know everyday that he killed his brother
    • Guest (22/07/2013, 17:57) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      These photos warm my heart. So happy for you Lorna, Michael, his children, and the family.
  • bubuliom (22/07/2013, 18:41) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yes he's is free now he can start over his live with a fresh start continue prasing God
  • papa (22/07/2013, 18:46) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who god bless no man curse
  • Joycie (22/07/2013, 19:08) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lorna I'm so happy for you. The family can now take time to heal from this unfortunate tragedy. Jack you now have a second chance to live your life. Do so and don't forget to put your trust in God for he knows all and understands. God Bless You.
  • thank god (22/07/2013, 19:11) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Jack I am so happy u out of jail u get a second chance at life . May god keep blessing u and your family. Trust god always he is a awesome god. He mighty and powerful. I am so happy for u .u deserve to be with your family and moving on with your life.
  • whatating (22/07/2013, 21:05) Like (1) Dislike (30) Reply
    well done jury, cause if white can kill black and walk why can't another black brother stay free too for murder, it's just so it got to go. Talk bout that...i like it!
  • . (22/07/2013, 22:09) Like (1) Dislike (70) Reply
    A man kill a man and ayo telling him to put his trust in god? huh!
  • stueeps (23/07/2013, 06:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    David kill so many people.......and he is god,s chosen king.
  • The brain (23/07/2013, 09:13) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The pain jack will have to bare over this incident for the rest of life is a sentence in itself. That was his brother and from all accounts he was very remorseful.

    Brother only God can heal pain through trust and prayer. Talk it out to someone you can trust. Let your kids know you live them and if your brother had kids let them know you live them too.

    Your human and we all have sinned and fall short from the glory of God. However a righteous man falleth seven times and he shall rise again by the grace and mercies of God. Keep you head up from whence your help will come.

    From your movements in and out of NGS area I only saw a hard working respectable and humble young man. It is this ( your character) that got you the not guilty verdict.

    Forgive yourself first as God has already forgiven you live a happy life regardless of who says what. Second chances don't come everyday. Live pray love & laugh
  • Kim (23/07/2013, 10:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't know him personally but I know the family well especially his mom and I was into this case more than anything and was hoping and praying the jury analyzes this case well and they did, Good Job
  • Yes (23/07/2013, 13:19) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Zimmerman must be proud
  • lawyers in love (24/07/2013, 01:06) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    well it's a good thing he did not throw rocks or use a staple gun - or he would be up the creek without
    a paddle. just stab someone and it's Ok. If you dress up in black and shoot someone with a gun, you'd
    better have friends in M15 or you won't get your tea and crumpets.
  • life (25/07/2013, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well at least the lesson is learnt, to not do things in anger


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