(Jamaica Gleaner) The Court of Appeal has overturned the buggery conviction of a man after DNA evidence proved that he did not commit the offence.
Christopher Murray, a casual worker, of Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland was acquitted on Monday.
He was represented by attorney-at-law Gladstone Wilson.
Professor Wayne McLaughlin from Caribbean Genetics at the University of the West Indies, conducted DNA tests on exhibits submitted at the Government Forensic Laboratory by both Murray and the nine-year-old boy he was alleged to have molested.
Experts from the Government Forensic Laboratory had said the tests they conducted were not conclusive.
Wilson argued that Professor McLaughlin conducted a more specific and sensitive test on the DNA from the accused and it found that he could not have committed the offence.
The professor was thoroughly cross-examined by prosecutors when he testified in the Court of Appeal.
The appeals court then quashed Murray’s convictions for buggery and indecent assault and has promised to put its reasons in writing at a later date.
Murray was sentenced in October 2010 to six years’ imprisonment for indecent assault and seven years’ imprisonment for buggery.
It was alleged that he sexually molested the boy between 2008 and 2009.
However, he is now being freed by the appeals court following the latest development.
