INDECOM investigator testifies at Mario Deane trial

Peter Parkinson, head of the forensic department at the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), today told the Westmoreland Circuit Court about how he collected blood samples from the cell where Mario Deane was beaten on August 3, 2014, and later attended Deane's post-mortem.

During his examination-in-chief in the ongoing trial of Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, Parkinson told the court that he collected three blood samples from the cell at the Barnett Street Police Station in Montego Bay, St James, where Deane was beaten while in custody for possession of a ganja spliff.

Parkinson testified that he also photographed sections of the cell, which had stains resembling blood on the walls, and sections of the cell’s bunk beds.

Additionally, Parkinson said that during Deane's post-mortem on September 2, 2014, he collected several samples including blood, fingernail clippings, bile, and stomach contents, and photographed several injuries that he saw on Deane's body.

The witness' examination-in-chief continues today.

Stewart, Clevon, and Grant are charged with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice, under allegations that they were the officers on duty at the Barnett Street lock-up at the time when Deane was beaten.

Deane died at hospital three days later.

Stewart also allegedly ordered the cell where Deane was beaten to be cleaned prior to the arrival of INDECOM investigators.

- Christopher Thomas

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, 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.