‘We are happy with the result’ - Shab Don lawyer

The ruling, handed down by presiding judge Alwayne Smith in the afternoon, brings an end to a trial that commenced on February 19. Thompson had been accused of offering a J$2 million bribe to a police officer in October 2021 to prevent the discovery of an illegal firearm during a search of his vehicle.

Following the acquittal, Thompson’s attorney, Donahue Martin Jr., expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.

“We are happy with the result. My client has maintained his innocence from the inception of this matter,” Martin told Old Harbour News.

The allegations stemmed from an incident in which prosecutors claimed Thompson attempted to bribe an officer to remove an illegal firearm from his Mercedes-Benz moments before the vehicle was to be searched. However, during the trial, Judge Smith identified significant inconsistencies in the evidence presented by the prosecution, leading him to dismiss the case.

The verdict was met with relief by Thompson’s legal team and supporters, closing a legal chapter for the prominent figure in the dancehall music industry.