A police officer has been acquitted of murder at the Old Bailey in connection with his shooting of a man in the head in south London two years ago. The officer, Martyn Blake, 40, shot Chris Kaba, an unarmed rapper, during a police vehicle stop in Streatham in September 2022. Following the not-guilty verdict at the Old Bailey, Kaba’s family expressed their pain, stating that the outcome shows “our lives are undervalued by the system.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley emphasized that while officers are accountable to the law, the current system is flawed. Mr. Blake, who had been suspended during the investigation, denied any intent to kill Kaba. He remained composed when the jury cleared him of murder. The Met announced that Mr. Blake would return to duty immediately.
Chris Kaba, who was expecting his first child, was followed by officers because the car he was driving had been linked to a prior shooting incident in Brixton. During the stop, Kaba attempted to ram his way free by reversing and moving forward, prompting Blake to fire, believing his colleagues were at risk, the court was told. Kaba was struck by a single bullet to the head.
Another officer present testified that he would have shot if Blake hadn’t acted, while another officer mentioned he was just moments away from pulling the trigger. Commissioner Rowley acknowledged the toll this case had taken on Blake’s life and career, stressing that the officer had made a quick decision to protect his team and the public.
Rowley criticized the mechanisms for holding officers accountable when they discharge their weapons, adding that undermining officers’ morale could impact public safety in London. Following Blake’s murder charge, over 100 firearms officers surrendered their gun licenses in protest. With concerns that more officers would do the same if Blake was convicted, the army had been on standby to assist if needed, according to reports.
A Home Office official said contingency plans were essential to ensure public safety. Meanwhile, Kaba’s family expressed their grief over the verdict, stating it was a failure not only for them but also for those impacted by police violence. Around 150 people gathered outside the Old Bailey for a vigil, holding signs that read, “this is not justice” and “police are perpetrators.”
Sheeda Queen, a cousin of Kaba and part of the Justice for Chris group, described the outcome as “an unbearable sorrow,” while activist Kayza Rose argued the verdict showed that police can act without facing consequences. Temi Mwale, another campaigner, said that this fight for justice and equality had been ongoing for decades and that the legal system had consistently failed to hold police officers accountable.
Mwale added that while the current system may not value their lives, they will continue to fight for justice, equality, and accountability. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will now assess whether Blake should face disciplinary action.
Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service stated that their decision to pursue charges was based on a thorough review of the evidence, and they stood by their decision to present the case to a jury. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper noted that it is rare for police officers to face criminal charges for actions taken while on duty and emphasized that officers nationwide continue to serve with bravery and integrity.
