Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

Prosecution witnesses will begin to testify today at the trial of the policemen charged with the murder of two men who were abducted from a plaza on Washington Boulevard on December 23, 2004.

A 12-member jury was selected yesterday in the Home Circuit Court, but the trial could not proceed because one of the jurors told the court that he would not be available next week. Attempts were made to get an additional juror to replace that one but the court was told that the remaining jurors were told to return today.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Victor Barrett and constables Paul Edwards and Louie Lynch are charged with the double murder.

It is being alleged that 20-year-old Kemar Walters of Kitson Town, St Catherine, and 35-year-old mechanic Oliver Duncan of Olympic Gardens, Kingston 11, were abducted by the policemen. The men have been missing since. Following investigations by senior policemen, the three accused were arrested and charged in June 2009.

One of the deceased men was said to be part of a car-stealing ring.

The Crown, represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Dirk Harrison and Crown Counsel Kerri Ann Kemble, is alleging that they were abducted and subsequently murdered.

Justice Horace Marsh extended the policemen's bail.

The men are being represented by Queen's Counsel K. Churchill Neita and attorneys-at-law Valerie Neita Robertson, Deborah Martin, Oswest Senior Smith, and Michelle Cousins.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com