St Ann Businessman Cleared in Fatal 2016 Shooting of Policeman

A St Ann businessman who spent nearly a decade before the courts in connection with the fatal shooting of a police officer has been acquitted, after prosecutors accepted that he acted in self-defence.

Kevin Harris was freed on Wednesday in the St Ann Circuit Court following the Crown’s review of the evidence. The prosecutor indicated that the case file did not provide sufficient grounds to disprove Harris’ claim that he acted to protect himself during the incident.

As a result, Harris entered a plea and was formally found not guilty.

The case stemmed from an April 17, 2016 incident at Calypso Cove in Ocho Rios, where Harris and Shane Francis, a constable attached to the Ocho Rios Police, became involved in a dispute at an entertainment event.

During the altercation, Francis was shot and killed. Harris, who was licensed to carry a firearm, later reported the matter to the police.

Following investigations, Harris was arrested and charged with murder. Throughout multiple court appearances over the years, he consistently maintained that he acted in self-defence, stating that the officer had drawn a firearm and threatened his life.

Harris was represented by attorneys Tom Tavares-Finson and Oswest Senior-Smith during the proceedings.

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