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St Catherine man accused of 2016 fatally stabbing in Old Harbour freed

Published:Tuesday | May 6, 2025 | 8:21 PM
The jury was instructed by the judge to return a formal verdict of not guilty.
The jury was instructed by the judge to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

St Catherine resident Iphi Sharma, who was accused of a murder committed nine years ago in Old Harbour, was today freed in the circuit court after a witness testified that he was forced by the police to sign a statement.

The man told the court that at the time, he didn't speak English properly, noting that he had just arrived in Jamaica from Haiti.

Arising from his testimony, presiding judge Justice Dale Palmer instructed the seven-member jury to return a formal verdict not guilty verdict.

The jury retired for a short while and returned with the instructed formal verdict.

Sharma was then freed.

Allegations were that on May 3, 2016, 44-year-old Derrick Boothe was fatally stabbed in Old Harbour, St Catherine.

An investigation was launched, which resulted in Sharma's arrest and charge for murder.

He made numerous court appearances and maintained his innocence throughout.

Sharma was represented by attorneys-at-law Tamika Harris and Abina Morris.

- Rasbert Turner

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