Two cops charged over shooting outside fast-food restaurant in Ocho Rios

The police have laid charges against two of the three cops who are in custody in connection with the shooting death of a man outside a fast-food restaurant in Ocho Rios, St Ann earlier this month.

They have been charged with misprision of felony, police sources confirmed.

Misprison of felony is the failure to report a crime.

A similar charge will also be laid against a third cop and five civilians who were also arrested in connection with the incident, police sources told The Gleaner on Thursday.

It's reported that the policemen will also face a charge of misconduct in a public office.

When contacted, Donnovan Collins, the attorney for two of the policemen and two of the civilians, declined to comment on reports that his clients have been charged.

However, Collins complained about what he claimed was the disregard shown to the court by the St Ann police.

A parish judge in Trelawny, where the cops are being held, last Thursday ordered that the St Ann police should release two of the policemen by 4 p.m. by that Friday if no charges were filed against them, Collins said.

“Why did the St Ann police believe it was okay to disobey an order of the court? ” he questioned.

“Was it necessary to take over 230 hours to determine that the men will be charged for misprison of a felony,” Collins questioned, making reference to the offences.

Superintendent Dwight Powell, commanding officer for the St Ann police, said he had “no comment” when asked to respond to the claims by the attorney.

The still unidentified man was shot during an altercation outside a popular restaurant in Ocho Rios about 3:30 a.m. two Saturdays ago.

He later died at hospital.

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