Trial of policemen delayed because of insufficient jurors

Insufficient jurors this morning delayed the start of the murder trial in which a police constable is accused of killing a motorcyclist who had allegedly disobeyed his signal to stop along Molynes Road in Kingston in 2013.

The constable, Ricardo Robinson, is charged with the murder of mechanic, Orlando Simpson. He was set to stand trial in the Home Circuit Court before Justice Leighton Pusey along with his co-defendant Sirgenho Steele, who is charged with perverting the course of justice and giving a false statement to the Independent Commission of Investigations.

However, when the matter was called up only 18 jurors were available from a required pool of at least 26. Consequently, the trial was postponed until February 24 and both defendants who were attached to the Half-Way Tree Police Station got their bail extended.

It is alleged that on August 1, 2013, the lawmen were conducting traffic searches along Molynes Road when Simpson rode up on a motorcycle and was signalled to stop.

Simpson allegedly refused to comply and was shot in the left side of his back by Robinson.

The policemen, however, are denying those allegations. According to them, on the day in question, the motorcyclist after spotting the police re-routed and while doing so a pillion rider who was present fired at the police. They say Robinson fired back and the motorcyclist was shot.

Attorney-at-law Vincent Wellesley is representing both defendants.

- Tanesha Mundle

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