SOME MEMBERS of the Police Force allegedly involved in the killing of four persons in Kraal, north central Clarendon last year, could face the court soon.
Sources told The Gleaner that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Kent Pantry, made his ruling last week following months of investigations involving local and international detectives.
The specific charges could not be ascertained up to press time last night.
It is understood that the DPP sent the file to the police yesterday. However, when contacted, Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas said he had not seen the file and could not comment.
Up to press time last night, it was not determined whether Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reneto Adams was among those to face the court.
Contacted last night, the senior superintendent, who led the controversial and now disbanded Crime Management Unit (CMU) on the operation on May 7, last year, said he was not officially advised whether he would be charged.
"I heard some reports about the DPP making a ruling but I have not been informed by the authorities," he said. "In any case, if it is true, I'm not subdued, this is just one of the challenges I've had to confront within and outside the force."
The controversial shootings led to the death of Angella Richards, 45; Lewena 'Ferris' Thompson, 38, and two men identified as Kirk 'Matthews' Gordon and 'Renegade' at Miss Richards' home.
Following the shooting, Police Commissioner Francis Forbes requested the services of investigators from the Metropolitan Police Service, Scotland Yard, London, and appointed Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas chairman of a management committee supervise the investigations.
On June 2, last year, Mr. Forbes disbanded the complaint-plagued Crime Management Unit (CMU) and relegated its leader, Senior Superintendent Adams, to a desk job as co-ordinator of the National Anti-Crime Initiative at Mobile Reserve in Kingston.
Meanwhile, Kraal residents revealed yesterday that they plan to keep a memorial service in the community on May 7, for the deaths of the four persons.
For their part, Kraal residents yesterday expressed delight that the DPP has made a ruling.
"Right now, everybody in Kraal is overjoyed by the decision, is long time we waiting for it," said Vinton 'Jah T' James, a 48-year-old rastafarian community leader.
Rosalie Douglas, the older sister of alleged gang leader Bashington 'Chen Chen' Douglas, also told The Gleaner yesterday that the ruling pleased her.
"Yes, I am happy. I believe enough is enough, it just grief and pain in our lives right now, and this cannot bring them back, but we're hoping for justice, we need to get that."
Members of the CMU had gone to Kraal in search of 'Chen Chen' Douglas, an alleged gang leader from Homestead, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, when they reportedly came under fire as they approached a house in the community. They returned the fire and the four persons were hit. Two guns were reportedy recovered at the scene.
