Trial of cops in INDECOM case postponed

Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

The trial of the eight policemen brought before the court for refusing to cooperate with the Independent Commission of investigation (INDECOM) was pushed back in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court today.

The matter had to be put off to September 17 because the presiding magistrate Georgiana Fraser was unavailable.

The policemen at the centre of the court case are Orrette Williamson, Gerville Williams, Francis Rennalls, Devon Noble, David Hutchinson, Petro Green, Marcel Dixon and Kenneth Daley.

The policemen, who are under investigation for the shooting death of 16-year-old Derrick Bolton and Rohan Dixon in Spanish Town, St Catherine, were charged in January.

Bolton and Dixon were allegedly shot by the police, who were chasing gunmen responsible for the killing of eight persons in Tredegar Park, St Catherine, last August.

Their trial was stalled after they took INDECOM to the Supreme Court to challenge the commission’s authority to request them to answer questions in relation to the case against them.

The Supreme Court dismissed the cops’ application clearing the way for the trial to resume.

The case is being prosecuted by former Director of Public Prosecutions, Kent Pantry.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com