Westmoreland, Jamaica — The seven-member jury within the long-awaited trial of three cops charged within the 2014 demise of Mario Deane has been handed the case for deliberation. This comes greater than a decade after the 31-year-old building employee was fatally crushed whereas in police custody.
Presiding Supreme Courtroom Choose Justice Courtney Daye handed over the case to the jury on Thursday at 1:38 p.m. within the Westmoreland Circuit Courtroom, following the completion of his summation and authorized directions. The jurors have been directed to deliberate on every of the three prices individually: manslaughter by gross negligence (Depend 3), misconduct in public workplace (Depend 2), and perverting the course of justice (Depend 1).
The accused — Corporal Elaine Stewart and district constables Marlon Grant and Juliana Clevon — are all charged with manslaughter and misconduct in a public workplace. As well as, Stewart faces a separate cost of doing acts supposed to pervert the course of justice.
In accordance with the prosecution, Deane was arrested on August 3, 2014, for possession of a ganja spliff and detained on the Barnett Avenue Police Station in Montego Bay, St James. Whereas in custody, Deane was allegedly crushed so severely that he suffered traumatic mind accidents, leaving him in a coma. He died three days later at Cornwall Regional Hospital.
Investigators allege that the three officers have been on obligation on the time of the incident and failed of their obligation of care to guard Deane. It’s also alleged that Stewart ordered the jail cell cleaned earlier than investigators from the Impartial Fee of Investigations (INDECOM) arrived, an act seen as an try to impede justice.
The case has drawn nationwide and worldwide consideration over time, sparking public outcry and renewed discussions about police accountability and custodial violence in Jamaica.
The jury is predicted to ship its verdict within the coming days.
