September 18 trial for cops in Mario Deane case

WESTERN BUREAU:

The three police officers who are facing multiple charges in connection with the 2014 death of Mario Deane will stand trial in the St James Circuit Court on September 18, following a committal hearing to remove the case from the parish court yesterday.

Corporal Elaine Stewart and District Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant were given the new court date when they appeared for the hearing, which was presided over by Parish Judge Sandria Wong-Small.

"In my opinion, the evidence is sufficient to put each of you on trial for the indicted offences beyond my jurisdiction. You are hereby committed to stand and take your trial at the St James Circuit Court, to be held on September 18, 2018," Wong-Small told the defendants.

The three cops were also given fresh offers of bail ahead of their appearance in the St James Circuit Court. They were each offered bail in the sum of J$400,000, with up to three sureties, and were instructed to surrender their travel documents.

The committal hearing was previously scheduled for last Friday, May 4. However, it was rescheduled, as the defendants' sureties were unable to attend court at that time.

Stewart, Clevon, and Grant are charged with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice, following allegations that they were on duty at the time when Mario Deane was allegedly beaten by other inmates in a cell at the Barnett Street police lock-up in Montego Bay on August 3, 2014.

Deane, who was beaten unconscious, later died at Cornwall Regional Hospital.