Chris Kaba, a known member of a dangerous criminal gang in London, was involved in two separate shootings leading up to his death at the hands of police. Just a week before he was shot, Kaba allegedly shot a rival in the legs at a nightclub and was set to stand trial for attempted murder. Police found gunshot residue on his sleeve and a balaclava in his pocket on the night he was killed, indicating his involvement in another shooting the previous night. Kaba had a history of weapon possession and the car he was driving at the time of his death was linked to multiple firearms incidents.
The police marksman who shot Kaba, Martyn Blake, was cleared of murder charges in court. He fired at Kaba through the windscreen of a car as Kaba attempted to flee from the police. Kaba’s mother had tried to keep details of his criminal background under wraps, but reporting restrictions were lifted, revealing his violent history. The car Kaba was driving had been used in a previous shooting incident and was connected to the nightclub shooting for which he was set to stand trial.
During the trial of Martyn Blake, Kaba’s gang affiliation and criminal record were not disclosed to the jury. The defence argued that Kaba’s actions at the nightclub explained his attempt to escape from the police at all costs. Following Blake’s acquittal, there has been backlash from both Kaba’s family and police figures, questioning the decision to bring the case to court. The jury deliberated for just over three hours before reaching a verdict.
Martyn Blake will be reinstated to his position as a police officer but will undergo refresher training before returning to duty. The Independent Office for Police Conduct will determine if disciplinary action is necessary. Despite speculation about the jury’s thoughts on the case, the judge denied requests to release their note. The media and Kaba’s family’s lawyer pushed for transparency, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The case of Chris Kaba’s death has raised questions about police procedures and the handling of shootings involving officers. The decision to acquit Martyn Blake has sparked controversy and calls for a reevaluation of how such cases are handled in the future. The details of Kaba’s criminal background shed light on the events leading up to his fatal encounter with the police, highlighting the complexities of law enforcement and criminal justice.
