ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands (AP) -- Three American men charged in the murder of a Connecticut artist were acquitted, leaving a New York financial adviser -- represented by former Bermuda Bar Association President Richard Hector QC -- to stand trial for the crime.

Mr. Hector's partner at Wakefield Quinn, Mark Pettingill, yesterday reacted angrily to news his client, Alexander Benedetto, 35, of New York City, along with the two other men, was slapped with another charge of perverting the course of justice and released on $1,000 bail until tomorrow.

Saying the evidence against the three men was "riddled with inconsistencies and insufficient'', Judge Kenneth Benjamin approved motions to dismiss charges, instructing the jury to declare the men innocent of murdering 34-year-old Lois McMillen.

The new charge stems from an allegation that the men paid a taxi driver to leave Tortola while police investigated the crime.

Spicer, who patted Labrador on the shoulder before leaving the courtroom, said Labrador is innocent.

Mr. Pettingill represented Benedetto in the preparation of the case and at a preliminary inquiry last summer which recommended the trio be charged as accessories to murder and Labrador with murder. Prosecutors ignored the recommendation.

Mr. Pettingill has acted as an advisor to Benedetto's barrister during the trial.

When contacted at his office yesterday, Mr. Pettingill was ecstatic -- until hearing of the lesser charge being laid.

Judge Kenneth Benjamin had approved three of the defence lawyers' motions to dismiss charges for lack of evidence, releasing Benedetto, Michael Spicer, 37, a law student from Albemarle County, Va.; and Evan George, 23, an unemployed construction worker from Washington D.C.

The men had been in jail in the British Virgin Islands since January 2000.

The court continued with the trial of the fourth accused man, Mr. Hector's client, William Labrador, 37, of Southhampton, New York.

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