Police marksman acquitted of murder

Martyn Blake, a Metropolitan Police marksman, has been acquitted of murdering unarmed driver Chris Kaba, following a three-week trial at London’s Old Bailey. The jury took nearly three hours to reach a unanimous not guilty verdict. Mr Blake shot Mr Kaba during a police stop in September 2022, claiming he feared for his life as Mr Kaba attempted to escape. The Crown Prosecution Service defended their decision to prosecute, asserting that the evidence warranted it. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the case’s complexity, emphasising the rarity of criminal prosecutions against police officers. The Independent Office for Police Conduct will now consider whether Mr Blake should face disciplinary action.