[UPDATED] BAIL-FOR-MURDER ADVOCATE GUNNED DOWN

FORMER murder accused Akili Charles, the man whose litigation led to the court's historic ruling that people charged with murder can apply for bail, has been shot dead.

Police said Charles, 42, was sitting on a chair near his Covigne Road, Diego Martin, home at around 10 pm on Saturday when two men, one armed with a pistol and the other armed with a rifle walked up to him and shot him several times before running away.

Relatives heard the gunshots and on checking saw Charles bleeding on the road outside.

Relatives reportedly tried resuscitating him but later covered him with a sheet until police arrived.

Officers of the Western Division Task Force and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region I) visited the scene with a district medical officer.

Investigators said several spent shells from 9 mm and 5.56 mm rounds were found at the scene.

The body was later taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

Newsday visited Charles' family home on Covigne Road, Diego Martin, on Sunday to try and speak with relatives but they declined to comment.

One of Charles' friends who was jointly charged with him for the 2010 murder of Russell Antoine but later released, told Newsday he was deeply saddened by Charles' murder.

He said he and Charles were childhood friends and was hurt to hear about his murder.

He also said while he could not say for certain why anyone would want to harm Charles, people who were charged with murder and later released should take the necessary precautions with their safety.

"Even though you're innocent somebody might hear you were charged with their family member's murder and don't like you whether you did it or not, so all that you have to be on the lookout for.

"What about the people who feel I killed their brother or their sister and I was never there?

"I can't put down my guard, my guard has to be halfway up.

"I'm not putting down my guard because I have one life to live and I have no bonus life, I rather be judged by a jury of 12 rather than be carried in a box by six men."

The man also criticised the state for the lack of opportunities available for people who were released after prison, noting that while there were several rehabilitation programmes for inmates in prison, these skills were not put to good use if no one was willing to give them a chance.

He said Charles would be remembered as a brave, easy-going man who used his intelligence and charisma to highlight the shortcomings of the system and encouraged others to do the same.

In 2015, Charles and five others were jointly charged for the 2010 murder of Russell Antoine.

He remained in remand pending trial.

Charles sued the Attorney General for murder accused to have the right to apply for bail.

He and the other five were freed of the charges as Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle ruled the State had failed to present sufficient evidence.

In February, the Appeal Court ruled people charged with murder could apply for bail.

The State appealed this ruling to the Privy Council in London and only last Thursday, that court upheld the local appellate court's decision that murder was a bailable offence.

While imprisoned Charles registered for CXC classes and a PVC furniture-making class by the Wishing 4 Wings Foundation.

A story detailing his experiences while imprisoned until his release was published in the Sunday Newsday.

Contacted for comment Opposition Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial said Charles worked towards improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system and commended him for his efforts in improving his own life while in prison.

"He was innocent in the eyes of the law as he was freed by a court after languishing for nine years awaiting trial as the State could not produce evidence to convict him.

"Because of the horror he experienced, he subsequently used his life after freedom to fight for change in the system.

"He was a decent young man who was brave enough to take on the State in order to improve the criminal justice system of which he was a victim."

Lutchmedial also said she was disappointed that some social media users made light of Charles' death.

"I truly feel sad for our country when the loss of a life, any life, is seen as a good thing."

This story was originally published with the title "Bail-for-murder advocate murdered" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

FORMER murder accused Akili Charles, the man whose litigation led to the court's historic ruling that people charged with murder can apply for bail, has been shot dead.

The 42-year-old was killed near his Diego Martin home late Saturday night.

Police said Charles' relatives were at home on Covigne Road, at around 10 pm, when they heard multiple gunshots.

On checking, a relative saw Charles bleeding on the road outside.

Relatives reportedly tried resuscitating him but later covered him with a sheet until police arrived.

Officers of the Western Division Task Force and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region I) visited the scene with a district medical officer.

The body was later taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

In 2015, Charles and five others were jointly charged for the 2010 murder of Russell Antoine.

He remained in remand pending trial.

Charles sued the Attorney General for murder accused to have the right to apply for bail.

He and the other five were freed of the charges as Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle ruled the State had failed to present sufficient evidence.

In February, the Appeal Court ruled people charged with murder could apply for bail.

The State appealed this ruling to the Privy Council in London and only last Thursday, that court upheld the local appellate court's decision that murder was a bailable offence.

No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing.