Cops on trial to return to court on September 17

The eight policemen who are on trial for allegedly refusing to cooperate with the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) are to return to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on September 17.

INDECOM had served notices on the men to give statements in relation to the shooting death of two persons in Tredegar Park, St Catherine.

The trial began on Tuesday and was to continue on Thursday, but had to be put off because it was reported that Senior Resident Magistrate Georgianna Fraser, who is trying the case, was ill.

An investigator with INDECOM testified on Tuesday that he served notices on the policemen to attend an identification parade and answer questions, but they did not comply.

He was cross-examined by defence lawyers Valerie Neita-Robertson, Christopher Townsend and Peter Champagnie who are representing the policemen.

The policemen are Orrette Williamson, Gerville Williams, Francis Rennalls, Devon Noble, David Hutchinson, Petro Green, Marcel Dixon and Kenneth Daley.

INDECOM had served notices on them in connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Derrick Bolton and Rohan Dixon of Spanish Town, St Catherine. They were allegedly shot by the police who were chasing gunmen who shot dead eight persons in Tredegar Park, St Catherine in August 2010.

After the policemen were charged with failing to comply with INDECOM's directives, they took the matter to the Constitutional Court challenging the powers of the commission.

The court ruled in May that the Terrence Williams-led INDECOM acted within the scope of the law when it called for the policemen to furnish statements in relation to the fatal shootings.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com