Police witness in Mario Deane trial now out on sick leave

The Westmoreland Circuit Court was advised today that Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevin Francis, who has been testifying in the trial of three cops in the 2014 beating of Mario Deane, will be unavailable for the next five days due to ill health.

Francis, who in 2014 was the commanding officer in charge of the Barnett Street Police Station lock-up where Deane was reportedly beaten while in custody, had previously given evidence on Tuesday despite showing physical signs of illness.

When the trial of Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant resumed this morning, the court was told that Francis, who was absent, had been given five days' sick leave under doctor's orders.

In response, presiding High Court Justice Courtney Daye said that the evidence of another police witness, who was originally slated to testify today, could continue as previously arranged and that Francis' evidence could be completed at a later time.

The trial is currently under way.

Stewart, Clevon, and Grant are charged with manslaughter and misconduct in a public office, under allegations that they were the officers on duty at the Barnett Street Police Station lock-up at the time when Deane was beaten while in custody on August 3, 2014. Deane died at the Cornwall Regional Hospital three days later.

Stewart, the senior officer in charge at the time, is also charged with perverting the course of justice, after she allegedly ordered the cleaning of the cell where the beating took place before investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations arrived.

- Christopher Thomas

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.