Head of "Dawg Paw" gang cleared of gun related charges

Christopher Linton, reputed head of the Dawg Paw gang, was cleared of gun related charges when he appeared in court on Thursday.

Linton and two members of his gang, Nicholas Nesbeth, otherwise called "Fire Key," and Micah Allen, were cleared of the charge, after the judge upheld no case submissions by their attorneys.

The men were charged more than two years ago, following allegations that they were among a group of men who engaged the police in a gunbattle along Tavern Drive in St Andrew in July 2010. One of the men was killed in the incident.
     
The cops said Linton was the leader of the group. However, defence attorneys challenged the identification evidence, arguing that the poor lighting on the night in question would have made it difficult for the cops to recognise their clients. The judge agreed.

Linton and Allen remain behind bars where they are serving 15 year sentences.Nesbeth has been released.