UK: Police Officer Named in Chris Kaba Murder

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Facts

  • A British police officer charged with the murder of 24-year-old Chris Kaba has been named for the first time after a judge lifted the anonymity order in the case on Friday.1
  • Previously known by the codename NX121, the specialist firearms officer from London's Metropolitan Police was named as Martyn Blake. The 40-year-old has pleaded not guilty.2
  • An unarmed Kaba was driving in south London on Sept. 5, 2022, when he was stopped and shot in the head through his car's windscreen by police firearms specialists. He died hours later.3
  • Though the police claimed his car's registration number was 'linked to a firearms offence in the previous days,' Kaba's death sparked anger and protest in the UK's Black community, renewing debate about the need for police reform.3
  • Initially, Blake's lawyers successfully petitioned the court to keep his identity private to protect his life. However, several media organizations challenged the order last October, arguing that it undermined public confidence in the justice system.1
  • In his ruling, the judge concluded that 'the naming of the defendant, or the giving of his date of birth, does not give rise to a real and immediate risk to his life.' However, restrictions on publishing his picture or his address remain in place. The trial will commence in October.4

Sources: 1LBC, 2The Guardian, 3Al Jazeera and 4BBC News.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by LBC. Being a specialist firearms officer is one of the most demanding jobs in the UK. These officers who routinely risk their lives to protect the public must have full confidence that they will be protected from unfair scrutiny while carrying out this dangerous job. This disappointing ruling will undermine other firearms officers' ability to perform their duties.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Police officers have for too long terrorized and inflicted harm on Britain's Black community. They shouldn't be able to do so while hiding behind the cover of anonymity. Britain has a long history of open justice, and it's absolutely right that the officer accused of murdering Chris Kaba is named.