Veteran dancehall artiste Capleton is a free man this evening. The rape charge against the deejay was dismissed this afternoon  during a committal proceeding in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

“I don’t know how to contain my joy; Capleton has been freed, God is good,” an ecstatic Claudette Kemp, Capleton’s manager told Loop News reporter Claude Mills.

“The police had attempted to submit a new statement and change the original statement given by the girl in the matter. So this decision is an affirmation of truth and rights. Capleton has always maintained his innocence and his name has been cleared in this matter.”

Committal proceedings are held to determine whether, in the case of more serious criminal offences, there is sufficient, evidence to require the defendant to stand trial. 

“The judge ruled that there was no prima facie case and the matter was discharged. The prosecution had attempted to submit a new statement into evidence but the judge did not allow that and ruled to dismiss the case,” attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend said.

A prima facie case is the establishment of a legally required rebuttable presumption.  A prima facie case is a cause of action or defense that is sufficiently established by a party’s evidence to justify a verdict in his or her favor, provided such evidence is not rebutted by the other party.

When Capleton last appeared in court. he had his bail  extended, and new mention date was scheduled after the court had been told that the case file was incomplete