A Metropolitan Police firearms officer has denied charges of murdering Chris Cava, who was shot dead by police in south London in 2022.
Martin Blake, 40, formally pleaded not guilty at a pre-trial hearing at London’s Old Bailey.
The injunction against the officer’s appointment was lifted on Friday by London Recorder Judge Mark Lecraft KC. This officer had until this point been known publicly only as NX121.
Kava, 24, was killed by a single gunshot from a police officer in Streatham, south London, on September 5, 2022.
He was driving a black Audi and was stopped and surrounded by police. The bullet penetrated the car’s windshield, and Kaba was pronounced dead several hours later.
When the formal murder charge was laid by court officials, Blake said:
When asked to plead his case, the firearms enforcement officer replied, “Not guilty,” as Kaba’s friends and family, who were also in the courtroom, looked on.
A full jury trial date was set for October 2nd, with Judge Goss presiding.
Ms Blake was asked to stand as the Recorder of London outlined the dates for the upcoming pre-trial hearing.
he was released on bail.
The decision to appoint the officer was welcomed by charities supporting the Kabba family.
Coroner Deborah Coles said: ‘Police cannot and should not be above the law. Even where evidence of crime or wrongdoing is identified, the officers and forces involved in the death cannot be held accountable. It is extremely rare to suffer a loss.
“In any other murder trial, the defendant’s name would be made public. This case is no exception. We welcome today’s decision.”
