Exclusive: Relief of man cleared of murdering robber who broke into home
EXCLUSIVE
By Brian Haran
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STABBED TO DEATH: Perry Nelson
brian.haran@essnmedia.co.uk
A man who walked free from court this week after fatally stabbing an intruder has told of his relief that his torment is finally behind him.
Samuel Quamina spent almost six months behind bars after 24-year-old Perry Nelson, of Pollards Hill, Norbury, died from his injuries.
Mr Quamina emerged an innocent man after a Croydon Crown Court jury decided on Tuesday he was not guilty of murder.
After being freed, Mr Quamina spoke for the first time about his ordeal - which began on September 10 last year when he handed a CD to an acquaintance in his Peckham flat.
Explaining how he had been set up, Mr Quamina, 49, told the Croydon Advertiser: "He walked to my front door and opened it and three men rushed in.
"The first man was holding a gun and pointed it at me. The second one was holding a steering lock.
"I was standing in my hallway in a terrified state. I thought they were going to kill or rob me."
In the brawl that followed, which lasted not much more than 30 seconds, the intruders wrenched two gold chains from Mr Quamina's neck, while he stabbed one of his attackers - Mr Nelson - with a kitchen knife.
Mr Quamina said: "What happened that night was a complete and utter tragedy.
"There are no winners, only losers, out of an incident like this.
"I was being judged as the aggressor, not the victim, when I was purely trying to defend myself and my property."
Mr Quamina, who claimed in court he had been reading his Bible when the drama unfolded, added: "The first thing I did when the jury's verdict was announced was to give thanks and praise to my creator.
"I'm so relieved to be back at home again. Obviously it preyed on my mind that I could be facing a long jail term, simply because I acted out of self-defence."
During the months he spent locked up in Highdown Prison, near Sutton, he had flashbacks of the incident each and every night.
Mr Quamina said: "What choice did I have in that situation? No one wants a gun pointed in their face.
"I either fled and jumped over the balcony of my second-floor flat or tried to protect myself."
He added that he hopes the court outcome will benefit other householders who may be faced with a similar ordeal in the future.
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by Lifoir, West Wicjham
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:45PM
“Karma - hmm ? Well, colonialism didn't have anything to do with me or my father or my grandfather so why should I put up with the situation as it is today. As a country we may have swarmed and colonised but I don't think we ever destroyed. Of course the retreat of the Empire and wthdrawal from these countries has lead to everlasting peace and prosperity for those left behind, Remind me, what is the average life expectancy in Zimbabwe ?”
by Anon, Croydonia
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:02PM
“Lifior says " Like locusts, they swarm, colonise and destroy."
Funny that, isnt that what the English did? Ever heard of Karma? This is the consequence of what they have done over the years.”
by Mrs P, Thornton Heath
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:08AM
“I've heard it all now! Drug selling kept this country solvent, basically!
Lol!”
by Curious, Addiscombe
Sunday, March 07 2010, 8:29PM
“Curious that the Advertiser doesn't run a picture of the man cleared... despite this being an exclusive article.
In other articles in other newssheets it explains that
"he had been reading the bible while smoking a ¿spliff¿ when a friend came around to borrow a CD" and that he told investigators two music speakers FELL from a wall in the brawl, smashing down on his attackers and disarming them.
While the Advertiser reports that he threw a speaker at the "attackers"
The fact that this guy has a criminal history himself should have been exposed during the trial -surely it's relevant that he he has a history of knife crime including using a samurai sword ?”
by Lifoir, West Wickham
Saturday, March 06 2010, 6:01PM
“Mark, you are wasting your breath. Get out while you can. Like locusts, they swarm, colonise and destroy. After many years in South Croydon and seeing it plummet downhill, I got out. Not far enough unfortunately but I shall continue to work hard to facilitate my exit from this metropolis of multicultural bliss. To those that are keen to remain = good luck - you'll need it.”