Mario Deane case not called up in Circuit Court - Matter to start on March 20

Western Bureau:

The much-anticipated murder trial of the two mentally challenged men who are charged in connection with the controversial death of Mario Deane, who died three days after being assaulted at the Barnett Street lock-up, failed to get off the ground yesterday.

The case against Marvin Orr and Adrian Morgan, which was scheduled for yesterday, was not called up. However, it was subsequently learnt that the case has been deferred until March 20, when the men will appear alongside co-defendant Damion Cargill, who is also mentally challenged.

"Although the matter had previously been set for today (Monday), the date was vacated because the judge who sat on the last occasion decided to keep everything together, so that matter is for March 20," lead prosecutor Claudette Thompson told reporters following the court session.

Cargill, who is also a deaf-mute, had previously undergone a separate hearing to determine his ability to understand the charges laid against him. Medical experts are expected to attend his upcoming appearance on March 20 to assess his fitness to plea.

Orr, Morgan and Cargill are alleged to have beaten Mario Deane while they were in custody at the Barnett Street Police Station on August 3, 2014. Deane died at hospital three days later.

Orr and Morgan were formally charged with murder after undergoing psychiatric evaluation mandated by the lower court, prior to their case being transferred to the Circuit Court.