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The family of Christopher Smithers, the personal trainer who was fatally stabbed outside Pita Pocket Restaurant in March 2022, has expressed deep anguish following a High Court ruling that led to the release of the accused, Berle “Junior” Wallace Jr.
Justice Ann-Marie Smith upheld a no-case submission filed by Wallace’s attorney, Wendel Alexander, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a sustainable case.
The decision resulted in a jury-directed not-guilty verdict, allowing Wallace to walk free after spending nearly two years on remand. The Crown has since filed an application to appeal the ruling.
Following the verdict, Janine Smithers, the sister-in-law of the deceased, shared an emotional response, recounting the immense grief her family has endured since that tragic night.
“I will never forget the look of sheer terror on my husband’s face,” she recalled. “I will never forget the sound of my husband dropping to his knees and throwing up. I will never forget seeing my husband just sitting there paralyzed, unable to move or speak.”
Smithers described the unbreakable bond her husband, Travis, shared with his brother Chris, a connection that remained strong despite living in different locations. She also highlighted the pain of watching their children grow up without their uncle, a man they had once cherished.
“He loved Antigua. He called Antigua his home,” she said, reflecting on Chris’ passion for the island and his pride in growing fruits and vegetables there.
The case, which has left lingering questions for the family, ended when the judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to establish intent to kill or cause serious harm. During the trial, it was revealed that Smithers had initiated physical contact in what became a fatal encounter.
Despite the legal outcome, the Smithers family remains shattered. “Our family will never be the same from losing Chris,” Janine lamented. “No one sees the nightmares I have of Chris getting stabbed. No one sees my daughters crying and me trying to comfort them. No one sees his mom just trying to get through the day without thinking of what happened to her son.”
The family now awaits the appeal process, holding onto hope that justice for Christopher Smithers may still be served.
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Very sad case!! No family should have to endure this outcome. Smh
Didn’t Chris attack the other guy first?
Antigua jus sickening now! Best u release them that dey a jail long time that na kill nobody. Or best u jus release all the murderers cause this case nah mek no sense at all!!!!!
The case, which has left lingering questions for the family, ended when the judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to establish intent to kill or cause serious harm. During the trial, it was revealed that Smithers had initiated physical contact in what became a fatal encounter
If this was the case why not change the charge to manslaughter if intent cannot be proven?
So if you pull out a knife, stab someone, they die. This is not murder, what was the intent when one pulls a knife?
Well buckle up Antigua, there will be more to come because all you have to say is they touched me first.
Ridiculous! And you wonder why we are where we are today with crime in Antigua. Complete Jokers
To quote the famous attorney ” not because you did it…doesnt mean you are Guilty! ”
I often wondered in these cases where the accuse is set free…would the family of the victim have find comfort with Guilty verdict…?
NOT BECAUSE YOU DID IT….DOESN’T MEAN YOU ARE GUILTY!