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Hasani Herbert of Monkey Hill , St.Kitts was last Wednesday Freed of a Murder Charge which was laid against him after the death of award winning Chef Jordel Gumbs .

St. Kitts defense attorney Chesley Hamilton secured a dismissal of the case against Herbert who was charged with murder in Anguilla.

On June 11, 2012 Gumbs was gunned down in West End, on his way home from work.

The police arrested  Herbert  for the  murder and three other men on suspicion of the same crime.

Hours after the murder, Shenroy Desouza of Anguilla was arrested for the shooting and was subsequently charged. Herbert, 28, who himself was a noted chef at the Viceroy Hotel at the time, was charged less than two weeks after.

Both had since been remanded in prison.

The preliminary inquiry concluded Wednesday (Sept 16) after many adjournments over the three years. Though Herbert and Desouza were not charged jointly, the cases were consolidated. Yanique Stewart and Josephine Gumbs-Connor represented Desouza.

John Benjamin QC, representing the Attorney General’s Office, had at a previous hearing indicated that the Crown wished to withdraw the matter. Hamilton argued that it could not, and entered a no case submission.

The defense was given until Aug 21 to file written submissions and the Attorney General’s Office until the 28th. The AG’s office never responded.

On Wednesday Senior Magistrate Hon. Ivenia Benjamin dismissed the matter for want of prosecution and both Herbert and Desouza were released.

Anguillian officials are seeking to have Herbert, who also holds British citizenship, deported for not having a work permit. The matter is scheduled for hearing on October 30.