Family of Chris Kaba 'devastated' after Met Police officer found not guilty of murder
A jury spent three hours deliberating before returning with a not guilty verdict for Martyn Blake, ITV News' Cari Davies and Amy Lewis report
The family of Chris Kaba have said they have been left with the "deep pain of injustice" after a jury found the firearms officer who fatally shot him not guilty of murder.
Martyn Blake, 40, stood trial at the Old Bailey for shooting the 24-year-old in Streatham in September 2022, through the windscreen of his car.
Blocked in by marked and unmarked police cars, Mr Kaba drove the Audi backwards and forwards in an attempt to escape, the Old Bailey heard.
A jury spent three hours deliberating on Monday before returning with a not guilty verdict for Martyn Blake.
More than 100 people gathered near the Old Bailey on Monday evening, where campaigners gave speeches and lead chants of “Say his name. Chris Kaba” and “No justice, no peace”.
One of the speakers announced a march would be held on Saturday in central London, and said Mr Kaba’s family will be there to hand a letter to Downing Street.Mr Kaba’s cousin spoke at the event about how the family had hoped for a guilty verdict, adding they “haven’t really begun to process” the outcome.
In a statement, Mr Kaba's family said: "Today, we are devastated. The not guilty verdict leaves us with the deep pain of injustice adding to the unbearable sorrow we have felt since Chris was killed.
Kayza Rose of the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign said they will continue to fight for justice "until our last breath"
“No family should endure the unimaginable grief we have faced. Chris was stolen from us, and this decision shows his life - and many others like him - does not matter to the system. Our son deserved better."
His family's statement went on to express those who had stood beside them since his killing, and said they "will not be silenced".
"We will continue fighting for Chris, for justice, and for real change. Chris’ life mattered, and nothing can take that away from us,” they added.
The Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign echoed the family's words calling the verdict a "devastating moment" for the nation.
In a statement, Temi Mwale and Kayza Rose said: “For the Kaba family, justice was never just about a conviction - it’s about systemic change, a fight we will not abandon as a campaign.
“Martyn Blake’s acquittal is painful proof that our lives are not valued by this system."
Body-worn camera footage shows the moment Chris Kaba was fatally shot by Martyn Blake
The car Mr Kaba was driving had been used as a getaway vehicle in a shooting in nearby Brixton the night before, and was followed when a police officer recognised the number plate. Officers did not know who was driving the car at the time.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley praised Mr Blake for acting with "professionalism and dignity" in the years since the shooting, and said he was proud of the work carried out by firearms officers.
He said: "Today's verdict is significant. No firearms officer sets out on duty intent on ending a life - their sole purpose is the complete opposite, the protection and preservation of life.
"Armed officers bravely intervened, not knowing the risks they were about to face.
"Sergeant Blake made a split second decision, based on what he thought was necessary to protect his colleagues and protect London."
Sir Mark went on to criticise the systems used to hold police officers who take lethal shots to account.
“No police officer is above the law, but we have been clear that the system holding police to account is broken," he said.
“I worry about the lack of support officers face for doing their best, but most of all, I worry for the public. The more we crush the spirit of good officers, the less they can fight crime that risks London becoming less safe.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said called the system holding police to account is "broken" in response to the jury's verdict
The jury of nine men and three women was told by prosecutor Tom Little KC that Blake had misjudged the risk to his colleagues, and had aimed for Mr Kaba’s head when taking the fatal shot.
In his defence, jurors heard a series of glowing testimonials from colleagues and senior officers.
Defence barrister Patrick Gibbs KC told jurors: “He is not a robot, he is a human being with a human brain who did this to the best of his ability.”
A fellow firearms officer known as DS87 said he would have taken a shot if Mr Blake had not, and another referred to as E156 said he was “fractions of a second” away from doing the same.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she recognised the distress caused to Mr Kaba's family and concern brought by the incident for communities and police officers - but urged the jury's conclusion to be respected.
She said: “Criminal prosecutions brought against police officers for actions taken in the course of their duties are extremely rare. Each day, police officers across the country work hard with bravery and integrity to keep the public safe.
"It is important both that the police have the confidence of communities they serve and that officers have the support and confidence they need to do the difficult job of keeping us safe. The Government is committed to working with policing to strengthen confidence for the future.”
Mr Blake had never fired a gun at a human being, or seen a gun fired at a human being, before the night Mr Kaba died.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan sent his "heartfelt sympathies" to Mr Kaba's family and pledged to continue to hold the Metropolitan Police to account.
“I understand the impact Chris Kaba’s death has had on London’s communities and the anger, pain and fear it has caused," he said.
“There’s clearly still a wider lack of trust in the police, particularly within the Black community, that needs to be addressed."
Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will now consider whether Mr Blake should face a disciplinary hearing.
The IOPC has defended its decision to refer the shooting of Mr Kaba to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Amanda Rowe, the organisation's director, said: "The decisions to criminally investigate Sergeant Blake, and then to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), followed careful consideration of a significant amount of evidence gathered during our independent investigation and by applying the relevant legal tests which govern our work."
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said his thoughts remained with Mr Kaba's family.
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“We recognise that firearms officers operate under enormous pressure, but it is our responsibility to put cases before a jury that meet our test for prosecution, and we are satisfied that test was met in this case," he said.
“It is therefore right that the case was put before the jury for them to scrutinise and to decide. They have carefully considered each piece of evidence, including video and Martyn Blake’s own account.
"They have made up their minds in the proper way and we thank them for doing so.”
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