Vanessa Kirkland Murder Trial| Cops freed of murder, convicted of manslaughter
Published:Friday | February 8, 2019 | 4:08 PM
Nickoy Wilson, Gleaner Writer
Police Constables Andrewain Smith, Durvin Hayles and Anna-Kay Bailey have been found not guilty of the murder of 16-year-old schoolgirl Vanessa Kirkland.
However, the cops have been found guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter.
They are to return to court next week Thursday for a date to be set for sentencing.
During her summation, presiding judge Justice Carol Lawrence-Beswick told the jury that manslaughter could be considered.
Evidence was lead at the trial on March 20, 2012, around 9:30 p.m., the three cops drove on to Norman Lane in St Andrew and opened fire on a blue Suzuki Swift motorcar.
Kirkland, who was an occupant in the vehicle, was shot and killed.
At the trial, the cops said they acted in self-defence.
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