Three more teenagers accused of murdering Kellon Hill have been cleared of all charges by a judge — leaving just one on trial over the killing.

Puisne Justice Charles-Etta Simmons told lawyers on Friday afternoon that Gary Hollis, 16, Kevin Warner, 19, and Zharrin Simmons, 17, should be acquitted on the basis that they do not have a case to answer.

Defence lawyers had made the successful application for this after the prosecution case closed last week. The judge freed the trio on bail after her ruling late on Friday afternoon. However, she then banned the media from reporting this fact until she told the jury, which had already been sent home for the weekend.

When the 12 men and women returned to court this morning, Mrs Justice Simmons instructed the foreman of the jury to formally find each of the three not guilty of the murder and weapons possession charges they faced. They then walked free from the Supreme Court — to the jubilation of their friends and family.

The move comes after the judge told the jury on Friday morning to clear co-accused Devon Hairston over the killing, again on the basis of “no case to answer”.

Now just one defendant of the original five, Kellan Lewis, 17, remains on trial over the murder of 18-year-old Mr. Hill. The victim died from a stab wound to the heart inflicted upon him as he left a party at Elbow Beach late on the night of August 9 last year.

Opening the case for the Crown on June 2, prosecutor Michael McColm alleged that Lewis, 17, and Mr. Hollis snatched a gold chain from around Mr. Hill’s neck. He claimed that Mr. Warner, Mr. Hairston and Ms Simmons joined the other two in striking Mr. Hill.

Next, Mr. McColm said, Lewis removed a knife from his pants and stabbed the victim around his chest and body, before Ms Simmons stuck Mr. Hill with a screwdriver. The court heard Mr. Hill stayed on his feet and tried to get away but was struck with a walking cane by Mr. Warner.

Lewis denies murder and possession of a knife in a public place and the case continues. See tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette for the full story.