Man detained after trying to force witness to change story

Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

A St Andrew woman and her husband were yesterday placed in protection after two men took the woman to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) demanding that she change her statement in a murder case.

The police nabbed one of the men but the other escaped.

Staff members of the DPP's office became suspicious after the woman entered the office and started to cry.

The men were reportedly waiting outside the DPP's office.

According to reports, the police were called and one of the men held.

The matter is being investigated by the Major Investigation Task Force.

The woman had testified in a case earlier this year in which two men were charged with murder.

retrial ordered

One of the accused was convicted and a retrial ordered for the other after a hung jury.

The matter was mentioned in court yesterday when the man on retrial was denied bail.

It was after that the woman was taken to the office of the DPP in an effort to have her change her statement.

DPP Paula Llewellyn was disturbed by the action, but said it would not deter the guardians of justice.

"We will not be intimidated and if anybody interferes with witnesses, they will be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice," Llewellyn told The Gleaner.