The case has been dismissed against a man from Upminster accused of plotting to murder a 46-year-old who was shot dead on the driveway of his home.
Kane Ward, of Boyd Close, was due to stand trial accused of conspiracy to murder in connection with the death of Leonard Naylor who was gunned down in Gravesend, Kent in 2001.
The case was dismissed against the 52-year-old as a hearing prior to the start of the trial.
Last month at Blackfriars Crown Court Terence Barry, 43, of no fixed address, was found guilty of the same charge and jailed for 18 years.
Robert Blackwell, from Plaistow, and David Carvel, 51, from Colchester, were acquitted.
All four had been arrested and charged following a cold case investigation.
Detective Inspector Ivan Beasley, senior investigating officer, said: “I am pleased that the long hours and hard work put in by the cold case team has paid off with the conviction of Terence Barry.”
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