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UPDATE: Prosecution’s case crumbles in Tiger’s murder trial

- nine-member jury unanimously finds Marcus Lloyd, Wakeem Guishard & Mitch Christopher not guilty of the murder of Daren Allen 'Tiger' Hodge
Daren Allen ‘Tiger’ Hodge was murdered on September 10, 2010. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
After two mistrials, the three men accused of murdering Daren Allen ‘Tiger’ Hodge on September 10, 2010 were found not guilty by a panel of jurors in the High Court moments ago, May 4, 2016. Marcus Lloyd, Wakeem Guishard and Mitch Christopher were all charged for murder in the death of Hodge, while Lloyd also had an additional charge of manslaughter. Photo: VINO
After two mistrials, the three men accused of murdering Daren Allen ‘Tiger’ Hodge on September 10, 2010 were found not guilty by a panel of jurors in the High Court moments ago, May 4, 2016. Marcus Lloyd, Wakeem Guishard and Mitch Christopher were all charged for murder in the death of Hodge, while Lloyd also had an additional charge of manslaughter. Photo: VINO
Mitch Christopher (2nd from left) and Marcus Lloyd (centre) in the compound of the High Court after being set free today, May 4, 2016. Photo: VINO
Mitch Christopher (2nd from left) and Marcus Lloyd (centre) in the compound of the High Court after being set free today, May 4, 2016. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Following over three hours of deliberations yesterday May 4, 2016, the jury in the Daren Allen ‘Tiger’ Hodge murder trial returned a verdict of not guilty, arrived at unanimously, for Marcus Lloyd, Wakeem Guishard and Mitch Christopher.

They were all found not guilty of murder, sending shock waves throughout the Virgin Islands society and social media. However, Lloyd was also found not guilty of the lesser crime of manslaughter, having been charged with this because of his alleged role of being the mastermind behind the plan to allegedly rob ‘Tiger’. Lloyd was also accused of supplying the guns - a Glock handgun and an AK-47 assault rifle- to allegedly commit the murder.

The brutal murder took place on a Friday night, September 10, 2010 and yesterday’s decision is a departure from the conclusion of the two previous trials which both ended in mistrials.

Closing arguments

In the three weeks of the duration of the trial, the Prosecution was lead by attorney at law Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit. In her closing arguments she pointed out that while star witness in the case Terrence Abdullah Charles was no angel, his testimony could be relied upon because he was there with the other three in the commission of the crime. She referred to him as a direct witness who was not only in the vehicle that went to the residence of Hodge but that he drove the vehicle at one stage and that he was in the house to help to carry the safe that was recovered from the house on the fateful night.

In making her summation of the evidence, Justice Vicki Ann Ellis warned the jury to make sure that they consider all of the evidence in coming up with their decision. She said it was not the duty of the accused to prove their innocence but of the Prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the men’s guilt.

She cautioned them about the testimony of Terrence Abdullah Charles, noting that he had admitted to changing his story because he was “scared” and did not want to “rat out his friends.”

In their closing statements, the defence attorneys all discredited the testimony of Charles on whose testimony the Crown relied to lead their prosecution. They each said that the only evidence that seems to be against their client is the word of someone who had been a part of the plan to rob Hodge and who had been inconsistent with his story.

On behalf of Marcus Lloyd, attorney at law Patrick Thompson asked whether Charles had ever described the guns used in the shooting during his testimony.

Thompson also said there was no evidence to support all that is being said about his client except that which came from Charles.

“Has Charles ever described those guns to you?” he asked, adding that when Charles had been interviewed by Police during the investigations he never mentioned guns. “Members of the jury I ask you to carefully consider what Charles has said...because he is an accomplice...he may have a reason to tell untruths,” Thompson had said in his closing arguments to the jury.

In his final appeal to the members of the jury, Attorney at Law Jamal S. Smith on behalf of his client Wakeem Guishard said that Charles is a “smart guy” who duped the justice system and was able to get a reduced sentence as a result.

According to Smith, no evidence other than the testimony of Charles places Guishard at Hodge’s house.

Former Magistrate and attorney at law Valerie Stephens-Gordon represented Mitch Christopher.

See previous article published May 4, 2016

Tiger's murder accused set free!

- Jury returns not guilty verdict third time around

After two mistrials, the three men accused of murdering Daren Allen ‘Tiger’ Hodge on September 10, 2010 were found not guilty by a panel of jurors in the High Court moments ago, May 4, 2016.

Marcus Lloyd, Wakeem Guishard and Mitch Christopher were all charged for murder in the death of Hodge, while Lloyd also had an additional charge of manslaughter.

The jury returned a unanimous decision of not guilty on all counts.

Justice Vicki Ann Ellis told police to ensure the men leave the court precincts immediately upon being freed.

The three men were greeted and hugged by tearful family members in the court compound.

More details to follow shortly.

64 Responses to “UPDATE: Prosecution’s case crumbles in Tiger’s murder trial”

  • foxy (04/05/2016, 17:08) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
    No justice no piece
  • Observer (04/05/2016, 17:11) Like (49) Dislike (6) Reply
    The prosecutor can't win a case to save her life.
  • raise the dead (04/05/2016, 17:22) Like (15) Dislike (9) Reply

    ... d**troy my boy and here in the court yard smiling

  • wize up (04/05/2016, 17:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    wolf
  • Understand the Law... (04/05/2016, 17:39) Like (79) Dislike (6) Reply
    Understanding how the whole system works before just running off at the mouth is imperative ...
    Not guilty does not mean that they didn't commit the crime...not guilty means that the prosecutor's job was to convince the jury that these men committed a crime, and failed to do so. These men have nothing to prove, it solely rest on the prosecutor to bring forth sufficient facts, evidence, witnesses etc to aid in convincing the jury. If they are not able to sway the jurors they (the jurors) HAVE to deliver a not guilty verdict BASED on what is DELIVERED in court NOT hear say or OPINION.
  • Gouda Staxx (04/05/2016, 17:42) Like (30) Dislike (10) Reply

    That long hair R*asta going to be back on he ig****ce 
    Hope he don't mash the wrong man corn moving forward.

    • No (05/05/2016, 13:46) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      He is not a true rasta. He is just wearing dreads. A true rasta is peaceful and humble.
  • Real Talk (04/05/2016, 17:51) Like (10) Dislike (25) Reply
    All who hate Marcus hold that!!!! Dem a guh tired feh see him face but them can't get him outta the race! Bam
  • Sister (04/05/2016, 17:59) Like (9) Dislike (31) Reply
    Talk all alyo want, my brother free and nothing said on the street can't Change the jury decision!
  • This is it! (04/05/2016, 18:04) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    There goes her DPP POST
  • I now (04/05/2016, 18:20) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply

    jury scarred

  • wow (04/05/2016, 18:27) Like (23) Dislike (9) Reply

    All 3 of them going g** !t... I say so

  • justice (04/05/2016, 18:28) Like (32) Dislike (6) Reply

    Prosecution is a joke, we learn an important lesson....take justice.......

  • What a shame (04/05/2016, 18:29) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    Them jealous the man cause he was doing good in the game and went go take his life...
    • What to expect (04/05/2016, 20:00) Like (6) Dislike (20) Reply
      @ what a shame
      How could you make such a comment? Where you there, did you have anything to do with what happen? Maybe, maybe not.
      The prosecution main witness changed his story more than he changed his underwares so shut up. Then he want to say is them man kill tiger but he himself pleaded guilty to actually killing tiger, my question is how 4 guys could kill one person
      • Tallfat (04/05/2016, 21:41) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
        Easy, one Master, three minions (One driver and two gun men) Hows that for an answer?
        • yessssss (05/05/2016, 14:13) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
          Because the hand puppet fat rat in prison was the weak link. The rat took the weight for a few pound of cheddar cheese and a few jars of peanut butter. Rats love peanut butter and cheese. They all pretend to be Tiger friend all up in the man face while plotting on him. How can they look in his kids face knowing what they did to those kids. That man was a good father to his kids. Do these people realize the mental damage they did to those kids?
      • texas 7 (05/05/2016, 11:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        6 man kill one police all of dem had a gun
  • I (04/05/2016, 18:29) Like (3) Dislike (34) Reply
    That's right not guilty ayo tola ppl like to judge to much man
  • tretretrete (04/05/2016, 18:31) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
    Such a sad thing... Taken from his 2 kids so senselessly and to see this now even more sad
  • Classic halo (04/05/2016, 18:32) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply

    What goes around comes around

  • Captain slew (04/05/2016, 18:34) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
    Marcus gets to come home to his children but tiger aint going come back to his kids.. Smh was a nice cool dude and a good father witnessed it from when he used to take them to horse race and parade with him
  • Ak 47 (04/05/2016, 18:34) Like (36) Dislike (2) Reply

    M....... gon feel more untouchable now but for every bad man got a badder man

    • rewrsdffds (04/05/2016, 20:23) Like (40) Dislike (2) Reply
      Trust me, no one is untouchable. They took the man away from his children and his family. No matter what Tiger or no one deserve to be taken out like that. Whoever hand hands in that, there time will come. If someone believe they are untouchable, they are only fooling themselves. The silent rat in prison who took the weight for the crime is going to start singing when the Swiss cheese run out.
      • Oh yeah (05/05/2016, 11:49) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
        The silent rat in prison is going to get tired and wise up. The silent rat was not the only one involved.
  • ha (04/05/2016, 18:35) Like (25) Dislike (5) Reply

    Yeah man rejoice now... Better watch ya b**#

  • Wait (04/05/2016, 18:55) Like (65) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't loose hope; just wait on Karma and that decision will be FINAL.
  • jah jah (04/05/2016, 19:42) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is the evidence ,people just talking a lot ,but they are cowards show you all hands ,Let's find out who kill the young lady ,let's find out which Jam down lawyer had Kendoy murdered ,we will take justice for Kendoy stay tune..
    • True to the bone (04/05/2016, 22:19) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      100000000000% true. The streets is going to give up the secret veryyyyyy soon. Stay tuned. The rats is itching. Before the rats get the mange, the secret is going to come out. Hey, what goes in the wash have to come out in the rinse cycle.
    • Cheese sauce (05/05/2016, 08:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well Jam down, you need to start preparing for a nice warm cell up the river. Jam down, do you really think you would get away with you know what? AwwHaHaHaaaaa. The little red man on your right shoulder with the pitchfork is tired of holding your secret.
    • hah (05/05/2016, 11:35) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Kendoy penn murder is simple but ppl fraid to talk who help fund his studies??? The you want to come back and work against the man???
      • sha (06/05/2016, 09:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Dear Sir/Madam,

        The Penn/Maloney family paid for Kendoy Penn's schooling just to let you know. Kindly refrain from speaking on matters you know nothing about.
  • Xxx (04/05/2016, 19:48) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    God is good
  • family (04/05/2016, 20:09) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's fine, all unjust does not go unpunished. Tiger was a good man. I feel so sorry for his kids. The way they cut him down in his home was barbaric. At least he did not suffer. But whoever was involved, one day they will get there's.
    • Exactly (06/05/2016, 19:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Barbaric, Rats, Canary, weasels, sewer Rats, haters, plotters, fake, disloyal, that is what the people who did this crime is. Only a punk A"" person would do something like that. A true man would never be such a coward.
  • clapback (04/05/2016, 21:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    good naw go suffa fi di bad
  • life (04/05/2016, 21:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    innocent until proven guilty that's just the way it is
  • H (04/05/2016, 21:41) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    How is it that justice is not serve when there is someone currently serving jail time for this murder? Is it that the persons that you want in jail is not in jail? The jury cannot make a verdict based on hear say.
  • jah (04/05/2016, 21:58) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    You live by the gun you die by the gun
  • For Real? (04/05/2016, 22:07) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    All you on here going still run in ghetto n put money in this man hand after wa happen
    • Really? (05/05/2016, 08:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      All of who? You better get real and know what the f..k you are talking about. News flash, everyone is not as foolish as you!!! I for one don't put money in (RATS claws or two headed snake fangs).
  • DEAD MAN WALKING (05/05/2016, 00:01) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply

    Justice wasn't served in court....but that boy there....so called hit man,.....?? D**d man walking!

  • bless (05/05/2016, 06:39) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Woowww fam. Bless to see you out , and to the public , ain't the prosecutor fault she is not weak , if the witness is weak and unreliable ain't much she can do the bring a strong case she lied to much, had to many stories, so it's not the prosecutor fault
  • Can't keep a good man down (05/05/2016, 07:42) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    If ayo use to follow up ayo would of know that prosecutor work real hard but ayo just dum to believe anything if is anybody to blame blame yuh self since you know it all u should of take the stand
  • The Life You Live (05/05/2016, 08:41) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply

    God don't Sleep... whether or not they did it or didn't do it No deservers to be taken out in such horrible way.. However whomever did the sort I'm pretty sure time will SOONNNNNNNN tell... It's now just a waiting period to watch it all unfold... I personally thinks that with high cases as the such doesn't need WEAK @$$ JURORS from here they need Jurors from away... Because I personally feel that these Jurors are afraid and you just never know who know who and who know what. But hey I'm pretty sure TIME WILL TELL!!!! We need to Enjoy our free time now cause TOMMOROW SURE ISNT PROMISED :-)

  • Orders (05/05/2016, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    SMH we must respect the courts do not be like the governor and NDP with no regards for law and order
  • jah jah (05/05/2016, 09:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Justice for Kendoy ,those same people who tried to set up those Guys no who murdered Kendoy ,I hope uncle Mick look and check all former prosecutors ,the proof in the pudding.Let's jump and down and get Justice for Kendoy from this crooked system.
    • Don't worry (05/05/2016, 18:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Jah Jah, There will be justice for Kendoy. Everything takes time.
  • tola (05/05/2016, 11:40) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ppl our court system is just plain out weak in case like these u need to bring jurors from anguilla of wherever cause our own ppl are cowards.... look at so many leads into this case to pin these men guilty.... the turnbull man from myers death way they claim lady rundown please that man was done dead before anything ever become of that story this man would have been the key witness to say what he saw and know but our system is weak.... hope the new commissioner clean up the force with them crocked cop and we get a serious dpp
    • poor thing (05/05/2016, 11:54) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      They need to check u to inquire into the turnbull man death since u know so much...plus if u were in the court to hear the prosecutors evidence you will humble yourself... I see why they are refer to tola people as being stupid you are a perfect example
    • e (05/05/2016, 15:49) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Everybody on here commenting nonsense. What were the leads in this case other than guy who already pleaded guilty?... The same guy whose blood was found in the house...The same guy who changed his story a million times... The same guy who is not credible because he has a long history with the law. Mr. Turnbull was not a key witness in this case. Did you hear his testimony in the first trial? He never saw what happened. Other than hear say, please tell me which jury whether from Tortola or Anguilla would give a verdict of guilty with NO EVIDENCE?

      If there is anyone to blame, it's the investigating officers because they did a poor job bringing forth evidence to corroborate what the guy said. Furthermore, the officers probably couldn't find evidence because the guy was lying. Only a liar would change his story a million times.
    • Popo (05/05/2016, 16:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      i say same thing about turnbull death i find it fishy that he dead on de weekend when de case was to start de monday or following week that was a hit i strongly feel so n she just stumble over de body wid her car
  • ,,,,,,, (05/05/2016, 11:56) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    Going to say it, the jurors were afraid to call a guilty verdict. Cases like these need to be moved to another venue off Island.
  • Agree (05/05/2016, 13:57) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The jurors were S..ting in their seats. Yes they were afraid and they know that. But of course they are going to deny it.
  • Slimshadee (06/05/2016, 09:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hah since you know so much about Kendoy murder and who funded his studies don't hide under the name hah be bold enough to come forward and say what you know. Seems as if you know a lot. God sees and knows everything some day it will come to light so no need for you and others to hide. Eleven years ago it was Kendoy you don't rejoice cause you never know when your turn will come.


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