No criminal charges in cops' case, says DPP
Published:Tuesday | December 20, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Nagra Plunkett, Assignment Coordinator
WESTERN BUREAU:
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn has rebuffed claims by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) that her office ruled that criminal charges should be brought against the policemen involved in the May 2010 controversial shooting in Falmouth Gardens, Trelawny.
Responding to queries about the shooting, INDECOM head, Terrence Williams, told reporters in Montego Bay, St James, on Friday that the DPP had asked his agency to carry out a request and that "the matter is now at a stage where charges will soon be laid".
Late yesterday, Williams apologised, saying he had been referring to a different incident.
Referred case to coroner's court
The DPP had written that her senior deputy director ruled on November 28 that the case, which involves the fatal shooting of 17-year-old twin brothers Glendon and Glenroy Gordon, taxi operator Patrick Cunningham, and Robert 'Gussie' Brown, all of Race Course in Falmouth, be heard in the Trelawny Coroner's Court.
"I have reviewed the contents of the said file and would again totally endorse the recommendation made by the senior deputy director on my behalf that the file be referred to the Coroner's Court for the parish of Trelawny for an inquest to be held … concerning the death of civilians Glendon Gordon, Glenroy Gordon, Robert Brown, and Patrick Cunningham," Llewellyn wrote.
The Coroner's Court will determine if anyone is criminally liable for the deaths.
The police allege that there was a shoot-out between the lawmen and occupants of a motor car, which was being driven by Cunningham. It was reported that two illegal firearms were taken from the dead men. However, residents maintained that the men were killed in cold blood.
None of the residents has offered any statement in the matter.
"There were no written statements from any eyewitnesses to contradict the narrative of the police," the release mentioned.
Williams, in a release last night, said his failure to clarify led to a misunderstanding that "caused the journalist and us to be at cross-purposes".