As the trial of Metropolitan Police Officer Martyn Blake enters its third week, the jury has heard testimony from key prosecution witnesses regarding the events leading to the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in South uk/where/london/">London on September 5, 2022. Blake, 40, is accused of murdering Kaba, a 24-year-old father-to-be, during a police stop in Streatham Hill. The prosecution claims Blake acted out of frustration, anger, or annoyance, but Blake maintains he shot Kaba in self-defence, fearing for his life.
The Prosecution’s Argument
Prosecutor Tom Little KC has argued that Blake’s decision to fire was “not reasonably justified or justifiable” because Kaba’s Audi had come to a stop and his hands were off the wheel. Little suggested parts of Blake’s initial account, where he claimed to have been fired because of an “imminent threat,” were “exaggerated” or “false.” The case centres on whether Blake genuinely believed there was a threat when he pulled the trigger.
Testimony from Officers on the Scene
Several firearms officers involved in the incident provided key testimony during the second week of the trial:
- Tactical Firearms Commander (HA62) described Blake as “calm” and “collected,” stating he did not believe Blake was the type to let emotions cloud his judgment.
- Tactical Firearms Adviser (AC38) defended the use of the “enforced stop with extraction” tactic, describing it as one of the most serious measures available. He testified that letting the Audi go would have been “hugely wrong.
- DS87, standing beside Blake when the shot was fired, told the jury he feared for his life, believing the Audi would move forward and crush him. “I felt in fear for my life. Had the actions not been taken at that point, I would have died or been injured,” he said.
- AY3, another officer at the scene, explained how a colleague, NX109, had nearly been taken under the wheels twice. He described the dangers of being in front of the vehicle, referred to as the “triangle of death,” where the risk of injury or death was extreme.
- NX109 gave an account of how he tried to open Kaba’s door but got caught on the handle, narrowly avoiding being pulled between vehicles.
- E156 testified he was moments away from firing himself, mistakenly believing he had fired the fatal shot immediately after the incident. He said, “I thought one of my colleagues was going to get killed.”
Chris Kaba’s Family and Final Moments
Emotional scenes unfolded at the Old Bailey as video footage of armed officers surrounding the Audi was played, with Kaba’s mother, Helen Lumuanganu, visibly distressed. In a statement read to the jury, Blake expressed his awareness of the “enormous distress” caused to Kaba’s family and offered his condolences.
Kaba’s friend, Elisha Fizul, described being on a phone call with him just minutes before the shooting. She recounted how Kaba mentioned police behind him, but moments later, the call was muted on Kaba’s end.
What’s Next
Martyn Blake, who denies the murder charge, is expected to take the stand and give evidence on Monday, October 14, at the Old Bailey, as the defence begins presenting its case.
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