Jury retires at Hamilton murder trial

Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

The 12-member jury hearing the murder case against ex-police constable Rushon Hamilton has retired to consider a verdict.

Supreme Court Judge Lloyd Hibbert completed his summation to the jury this morning.

Hamilton is charged with the 2008 murder of 14-year-old school girl Jhaneel Goulbourne.

In his summation this morning, Hibbert told the jurors that their conviction must be grounded on the prosecution’s case.

He said if the jurors accept the evidence of the defence, the fact that Goulbourne’s body was not found does not mean they cannot make a verdict.

Hibbert also said if they reject Hamilton’s defence, it is not automatic that he is guilty as the prosecution must have proven its case.

Crown witnesses have testified that the 24-year-old former constable confessed to them in custody that Hamilton shot the girl and threw her body into the sea.

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