Westmoreland, Jamaica – Greater than a decade after the brutal loss of life of Mario Deane whereas in police custody, justice took a decisive activate Thursday, because the Westmoreland Circuit Courtroom discovered three officers responsible on a number of expenses associated to the case.
Following simply two hours of deliberation, a seven-member jury delivered responsible verdicts towards Corporal Elaine Stewart, Constable Juliana Clevon, and Constable Marlon Grant. The trio was convicted of manslaughter and misconduct in a public workplace in reference to the August 2014 incident. Corporal Stewart was moreover discovered responsible of committing acts meant to pervert the course of justice.
Custody Demise Sparked Outrage
Mario Deane, 31, died on August 6, 2014—three days after sustaining a deadly beating contained in the Barnett Road Police Station lock-up in St James. He had been arrested for possession of a ganja spliff, a minor offense that drew nationwide scrutiny after his loss of life.
The prosecution argued that the officers have been on responsibility and failed of their accountability to guard Deane from hurt. Extra damning was the accusation that Corporal Stewart ordered the cleansing of the cell the place Deane was attacked, allegedly to intervene with the investigation, previous to the arrival of the Unbiased Fee of Investigations (INDECOM).
Sentencing Set for July
Excessive Courtroom Justice Courtney Daye, who presided over the trial, has scheduled sentencing for July 1. All three officers stay out on bail till then, beneath strict circumstances. They’re required to report twice weekly to the Space One Police Division headquarters in St James.
A Milestone in Police Accountability
The decision marks a major second in Jamaica’s ongoing battle with police accountability and custodial deaths. The Mario Deane case has lengthy been cited as an emblem of systemic abuse and sparked widespread protests and human rights advocacy each domestically and internationally.
Whereas Deane’s household and supporters have waited practically 11 years for this final result, the convictions could supply a measure of closure and function a reminder of the enduring demand for justice and institutional reform.
