Judge rejects application to split charges against 'Chucky' Brown

Justice Vivienne Harris, who is presiding over what has been dubbed the 'police death squad trial', has rejected an application by one of the attorneys representing police constable Collis 'Chucky' Brown to have the five-count indictment against him separated.

Attorney-at-law Norman Godfrey, who made the application, was seeking to separate the indictment of three murder charges, one charge of wounding with intent, and a conspiracy charge.

Godfrey argued that trying the matters together would be prejudicial to his client.

Justice Harris held that the offences have similar features which established that they can be tried together.

She also rejected the request to have the conspiracy charge quashed.

It was also determined that the media and members of the public would not be excluded from the trial given the substantial public interest.

Brown, who has been in custody since 2014, is indicted on charges stemming from separate incidents in 2009 and 2012 in which Damoy Dawkins, Dwayne Douglas and Andrew Fearon were shot and killed.

The trial is expected to last four weeks. 

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