Chris Yelloman Smith

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Chris Yelloman Smith

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Chris Smith, known as 'Yellowman', has been found not guilty of entering Leroy Grant's Greenland home in December 2011 as a trespasser with the intent to steal.

Following a trial in the High Court, a nine member jury unanimously found Smith not guilty of the burglary charge yesterday, February 11.

Smith, who has always maintained his innocence, was represented by Attorney at law Yohhahnseh Cave at the trial. The case was prosecuted by Senior Crown Counsel Sarah Benjamin.

During her opening address to the jury earlier last week, Prosecutor Benjamin said it is the crown's case that Smith entered the home of Grant and other family members with intent to steal, and during the process he was accosted by Grant, but he ran away.

Benjamin told the jury that on December 9, 2011 Grant had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room, but not before properly securing the home.

She said he woke up late in the night and went to his bedroom, but while on his back he heard noises. The complainant then got up and looked out to the hallway where he saw Smith, who he knew very well. She said the bedroom door was opened at the time.

Benjamin said it is alleged that they both looked at each other for a while and as Grant shouted, Smith ran away. Grant then woke up his son and they both went in search of Smith, but that turned up futile.

The Prosecutor said upon their return to the home, a check was made and nothing was taken from the home. A report was then made to the police station.

Benjamin told the jury that identification ties the accused to the crime and after weighing the evidence coming out of the court, they [jury] would decide whether they can trust Grant's evidence that Smith was the person who he saw that night in his home.

This was the first trial for the February Criminal Assizes. Justice Albert Redhead is presiding over this assizes.