Prelim against cops in Mario Deane case continues today

WESTERN BUREAU:

The ongoing preliminary examination in the case against three police personnel who are facing multiple charges arising from the August 2014 beating of Mario Deane, while in custody, is to continue in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court today.

Corporal Elaine Stewart and district constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant had their bail extended when they appeared in court yesterday, after the prosecution indicated that it would not be able to proceed.

aLLEGATIONS

The three cops who were said to be on duty at the Barnett Street Police Station at the time of Deane's beating on August 3, 2014, are charged with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice. They were charged following Deane's death at hospital three days after the incident.

According to the allegations, the three police personnel were on duty at the time when Deane, who was in custody for possession of a ganja spliff, was denied bail and placed in a cell at the station, where he was later beaten.

It is further alleged that Stewart gave instructions for the cell where Deane was beaten to be cleaned before the arrival of investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations.

So far, four out of a potential six witnesses have given evidence in the preliminary examination of the three police personnel.