Two convicted of planning to kill cop

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

A seven-member jury deliberated for more than three hours yesterday before convicting businesswoman Althea Morgan-Carr and bar operator Stephen Smith, both of May Pen, Clarendon, of conspiracy to murder police Inspector Lorraine Elleston.

Supreme Court judge Carol Lawrence Beswick is to sentence them on August 12.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor and Crown Counsel Annette Austin led evidence at the three-week trial in the Home Circuit Court that between January and February 25, 2005, Morgan-Carr, who masterminded the plot, conspired with Smith and others to murder the policewoman.

Cocaine charges

The woman cop had charged Morgan-Carr in September 2004 with possession of cocaine and attempting to export cocaine.

The main witness for the prosecution was Arlene Saunders Richards, a teacher, who testified that she met Morgan-Carr while they were both in custody at the Central Village Police Station lock-up. She said Morgan-Carr asked her to get someone to murder the policewoman because that was the only way she (Morgan-Carr) could be freed of the charges.

The witness said Morgan-Carr asked her to go to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on February 25, 2005 to point out the policewoman to Smith.

She reported the plot to Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Benjamin (now retired), and on February 25, 2005, the two accused, along with two other men, were held shortly after they left the vicinity of the courthouse.

Inspector Winston Henderson said when he and other policemen accosted them on Hagley Park Road, Kingston 11, Morgan-Carr said they only intended to beat up the policewoman.

Denied allegations

Morgan-Carr and Smith, both 34 years old, gave unsworn statements denying the allegations.

Morgan-Carr was transported daily to court in an ambulance because of a back ailment which prevented her from walking or sitting upright. She had to lie on a stretcher or a makeshift bed while in court.

Calgette Gilbert, 28, of May Pen, was also charged with Morgan-Carr and Smith but he was freed last week on a no-case submission made by Norma Linton, QC.

The fourth accused, Gregory Thomas, also of May Pen, was shot and killed last year in March Pen near Spanish Town, St Catherine. He was reported to be one of the leaders of the Peck Gang which is based in Clarendon.

Morgan-Carr and Smith have been in custody since they were held on February 25, 2005.