Cops Charged in 2014 Death of Mario Deane Get New Court Date

The case against three police officers charged in connection with the 2014 death of Mario Deane will now be heard in the Westmoreland Circuit Court. Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant are set to appear in that court on February 17, 2024.

The decision to transfer the case was announced today during their appearance in the St James Circuit Court before Presiding High Court Justice Bertram Morrison. Justice Morrison had previously ruled on Thursday that the trial should be moved from St James due to persistent difficulties empanelling a jury for the proceedings.

Alternative venues in Hanover, Trelawny, and St Ann were initially considered but dismissed because of logistical challenges, including jury shortages and case management issues.

Charges and Allegations

The officers face charges of manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice. These charges stem from allegations related to the August 3, 2014, death of Mario Deane, a 31-year-old man who was arrested earlier that day at the Barnett Street Police Station in Montego Bay, St James, for possession of a small quantity of ganja.

Deane was reportedly beaten while in custody and later found unresponsive. He was admitted to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries three days later.

It is further alleged that Corporal Stewart, the senior officer on duty at the time, ordered the cleaning of the cell where the beating occurred before investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) could inspect the scene.

Next Steps

The upcoming hearing in February will mark a critical stage in the nearly decade-long legal proceedings, as the case now moves to a new jurisdiction in hopes of overcoming previous trial delays.