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Prince Moore reports
By Prince Moore
A police officer and a university student have been freed of extortion and cybercrime charges after a judge ruled there was no evidence linking them to the publication of a sex tape or demands for money.
Police Constable and minister of religion Dave McLeish, along with 21-year-old University of Technology student Jayanne Booth, were on Wednesday acquitted in the Corporate Area Criminal Court in Half Way Tree.
The ruling followed submissions from defence attorneys Philmore Scott, who represented the policeman, and Kemar Robinson, who appeared for the student.
Both were charged with unlawfully making data available for the commission of an offence, conspiracy to extort, extortion, use of a computer for malicious communication, and engaging in transactions involving criminal property.
The charges arose from allegations that popular music producer Jason McDowell, known as DJ Mack, was contacted and asked to pay US$8,000 to prevent the release of a sex tape involving him and his girlfriend.
Evidence before the court indicated that Mr. McDowell made two payments, totalling J$75,000, to an account provided by the alleged scammer. After further demands, which he refused, the video was later released online.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to charges against Mr. McLeish and Ms. Booth.
The trial began in January last year and featured testimony from five witnesses.
In her ruling, Parish Court Judge Maxine Ellis said there was no evidence to show the defendants published the video or extorted money from Mr. McDowell, and ordered that both be freed.
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