Calbert Budd Jr. beats murder rap

And in news from the Supreme Court, twenty-seven year old Calbert Budd Jr. became the fourth person in two weeks to beat the murder rap following on the heels of Tyronne Tillett and the Villanueva brothers, Jermaine and Jaime. Budd, who was charged with the murder of Jason Avila, was freed of the charge when Crown Counsel Grant Schoen entered a nolle prosequi, indicating that the prosecution could not proceed. The Crown Counsel said there was no reasonable prospect for a conviction. Justice Adolph Lucas told Budd that he is discharged but that the charge can be brought back at any time. Attorney Simeon Sampson represented Budd.

Avila was killed on the night of February eleventh, 2003 on Iguana Street when he was shot several times as he rode his bicycle. Budd and his brother, Marlon Budd, now deceased, were detained shortly after the incident but were not charged. Last December a witness came forward and gave a statement and Calbert Budd was then charged.