In an exclusive interview, youth worker Anthony King shared his thoughts on the recent verdict regarding the police officer involved in the death of Chris Kaba. King, who operates a crime reduction organization in Croydon, emphasized, “We took two steps forward in building relationships, and now it feels like we’ve taken a step back.” He noted that the black communities in South London are “really traumatized” and feel “denied justice” following the decision.
On Monday, around 150 individuals gathered for a vigil outside the Old Bailey after the jury had returned its verdict. Although some residents in Croydon were hesitant to discuss the case, two community leaders, including King, agreed to sit down and share their perspectives on the situation.
Reflecting on the public’s reaction to the trial, King remarked, “What hit me the most was the public decision that was made… now there’s processing that has to take place.” The case revolves around police officer Martyn Blake, who shot Kaba, an unarmed man, during a police vehicle stop in Streatham in September 2022.
During the trial, jurors learned that Kaba’s car had been boxed in by police vehicles, and in a desperate attempt to escape, he drove back and forth, attempting to ram his way free. Blake testified that he believed one of his colleagues was in imminent danger, prompting him to fire his weapon.
Justice Goss lifted restrictions on reporting Kaba’s criminal history on Tuesday, which had not been presented to the jury during the trial. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions about justice and community relations in the aftermath of the verdict.
