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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!
This very Sad, I feel for the Family.
it’s frustrating to see a case like this end without any clarity.
Deepest sympathy to the family
There will be justice one way or another. I PERSONALLY knew Chris Smithers for 8 years from 2014 to 2022. We both had bodybuilding and fitness in common so we quickly became bonded as good friends and he was able to share alot of good nutritional advice with his expert knowledge in sports nutrition. That accused was the one who provoked Chris which led to his death. I hear people talking “s#!t” about “they heard Chris was the initiator which is a stinking lie!. The accused was jealous of Chris from day one because Chris was popular with many local Antiguan young women who were attracted to him. The accused made various rude and obnoxious statements to Chris in the past and Chris usually brushed off the comments or just read him. The accused was heard by 3 women and a man at the gym where Chris worked, making not only vulgar remarks about Chris, but RACIST remarks as well. He was heard telling Chris ” Why you don’t leave black women alone, with your white “r@ss”, at which point Chris told him “Jealousy doesn’t suit you” . He purposely set out to physically Chris. He brought the knife with him to the eatery with the intenintention to do bodily hard and he did just that and more by killing him!!! He deserve the GALLOWS. I hope Antigua brings back hanging or some type of death penalty. Chris’s family now have to suffer the grief and horrific pain all over again. I spoke to Chris the weekend before his death about my plans to come home (Antigua) for a visit and we were planning kite surfing and some diving. My sincere and deepest condolences to the Smithers family. May Chris continue to rest in peace 🙏 and on that resurrection say, rise in glory 🌄.
The video that was played in court showing Chris enjoying himself and Nathaniel knocking Chris’s beer out of his hand. Which started everything.
The witness who said Nathaniel walked away to get a knife was later incarcerated with Nathaniel, then to change his story to Nathaniel never left the scene.
Either way you don’t fight with a knife.
What does this tell us Antiguans. We can claim we got hit first then we can kill them??
Antgiuans we allowed to kill people now if they hit us first? Didn’t this guy start being the aggressor in the beginning by knocking Chris’s beer out of this hand ?
NO HE DIDN’T…THE ACCUSED WAS THE JEALOUS INSTIGATOR!!!
Mr Wallace has a huge list of violent behavior against people. How can you let this women beater walk free? Didn’t he also stabbed someone while in jail waiting for his trial. Like wtf is wrong with this man. Who does he know or what money does he have to get let off. He beats women so bad they go in hospital
Smithers received his citizenship that day and celebrated for hours with friends on Popeshead Street. You say smitty throw the first punch, how can it be considered self-defense when the accused left the scene, returned with a knife, and stabbed Smithers in the back without him noticing? This act was premeditated and cold-blooded murder. Many people are aware of this narrative, and it’s tragic that all the video evidence has been lost, allowing a murderer to walk free.
Also interesting that Wallace had no visible injuries when he surrendered. There was no punch thrown. The eyewitness were incarcerated alongside Wallace, so they likely concocted their story together. From day one, news articles from 2022 never claimed that Chris threw the first punch. It’s strange how the narrative has shifted.
This.is very sad. As a mother I could only imagine what that family is going through. Rest in peace son.
On the other hand why did he bring a knife to a disagreement? That is intended! Why not charge him on a lesser charge? Have mercy .To let him walk free like that is scary . The days when people would fight with body parts like hands,feet, teeth ECT is a thing of the .
past. To think this is going to get worse 😕 come lord Jesus !
This.is very sad. As a mother I could only imagine what that family is going through. Rest in peace son.
On the other hand why did he bring a knife to a disagreement? That is intended! Why not charge him on a lesser charge? Have mercy .To let him walk free like that is scary . The days when people would fight with body parts like hands,feet, teeth ECT is a thing of the .
past. To think this is going to get worse 😕 come lord Jesus !
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