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Absence of witness forces adjournment of Mario Deane trial

Published:Thursday | May 1, 2025 | 3:32 PM
Pause
The trial is resume on May 5.
The trial is resume on May 5.
The trial is resume on May 5.
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The Westmoreland Circuit Court has adjourned the trial of three police personnel implicated in the 2014 death of Mario Deane until May 5, due to the unavailability of a doctor who was expected to testify for the prosecution today.

High Court Justice Courtney Daye adjourned the trial of Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant after the prosecution revealed that the anticipated witness, who works at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, was unavailable due to a scheduling conflict.

In rescheduling the matter, Daye urged the prosecution to finish presenting its case against the defendants in a timely manner and to ensure witnesses are on standby to testify readily.

"An adjournment is forced upon the court, and we cannot do anything about it at this time. Every effort should be made to minimise the loss of judicial time," said Daye.

"We would like the prosecution to present its case so we can move on to the defence's case."

The prosecution had indicated that another witness is expected to testify after the doctor's testimony is concluded.

However, the court was told that the prosecutorial team does not want to present any other witness before the doctor, due to the nature of his anticipated evidence.

To date, 13 witnesses have testified for the prosecution, including two witnesses whose depositions of evidence were read aloud for the trial's seven-member jury.

Stewart, Clevon, and Grant are charged with manslaughter and misconduct in a public office, arising from Deane's death.

Stewart is also charged with perverting the course of justice, under allegations that she ordered the cleaning of the cell where Deane was beaten, prior to the arrival of investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations.

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