Haslyn Hodge, who was accused of murdering the mother of his children, was set free yesterday after Justice Navindra Singh found there was insufficient evidence in the case.
Justice Singh’s decision came after the prosecution closed its case. The 12-member jury was asked to return a formal verdict of not guilty after the judge told the court that there was nothing to rely on that may prove that the accused committed the crime.
Hodge had pleaded not guilty to killing Tamasha Riddle, of 126 First Field, Kaneville. Riddle was found dead on her bed with a pillow on her face and it was later determined that she died as a result of asphyxiation.
Hodge claimed that he did not see or hear from Riddle and had asked her mother, Lynette Riddle, to call her. He had also said that Tamasha had called and told him that she had received phone calls from a man who had threatened to kill her because she was “giving him blow.”
The state’s case was represented by Konyo Thompson and Dhanika Singh, while attorney Peter Hugh represented Hodge.
