London, UK – October 30, 2023
In a significant development in the case of the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in Streatham Hill last year, a judge at the Old Bailey has ruled that the Metropolitan Police officer charged with his murder will be named when he stands trial.
Chris Kaba, a Black man, tragically lost his life in September 2022 after being struck by a single bullet through the windscreen of the car he was driving. Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the Crown Prosecution Service charged a police firearms officer, known as NX121, with murder over the shooting.
Initially, lawyers for the police officer, identified as the marksman, had applied for him to remain anonymous. District Judge Nina Tempia had granted an interim order for anonymity, prohibiting the publication of his name or picture. However, members of the press contested this decision, leading to a reconsideration of the case.
At the Old Bailey on Monday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC ruled that starting from 10 am on January 30, 2024, the defendant’s name and date of birth will no longer be withheld, allowing the public to know the identity of the accused. However, a strict ban on publishing any photographs or images of the defendant remains in place.
The officer in question has been granted conditional bail, with a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for December 1, 2023. The provisional trial date has been set for September 9, 2024, marking an important step forward in the pursuit of justice for Chris Kaba and his family.
The decision to reveal the defendant’s identity is anticipated to bring more transparency to the proceedings and foster a greater understanding of the case within the community. As the legal process unfolds, the public will be closely watching, hoping for a fair and just resolution in this tragic incident that has deeply affected the lives of those involved and the wider public.
