Court throws out police claim against INDECOM

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

SUPREME COURT Judge Patrick Brooks has struck out the claim brought by police corporal Malica Reid challenging the decision of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to charge him with murder.

It was struck out because Reid did not comply with certain directives made by Justice Jennifer Straw when she granted leave for him to seek constitutional redress. Reid should have filed a fixed-date claim form and affidavit within a specified time, but the affidavit was not filed within the time ordered.

When the matter came before Justice Brooks, the lawyers for the defendants asked that the claim be struck out as being improperly filed.

One of Reid's lawyers, Chukwuemeka Cameron, told The Gleaner yesterday that, despite the judge's ruling, Reid was still pursuing the matter and would be going another route. "We still maintain that INDECOM did not have the power to charge Reid, and this ruling will not prevent us from seeking redress in the court."

INDECOM"S head, Terrence Williams, had failed an appeal against Justice Straw's order, and the matter is pending in the Court of Appeal.

Reid is charged with the shooting death of Negril businessman Frederick 'Mickey' Hill in Westmoreland, last year November. He appeared in the Home Circuit Court yesterday and his bail was extended to return for trial on October 28.

After civilians from INDECOM had charged Reid with murder, the Director of Public Prosecutions set aside the charge and preferred an indictment, charging Reid with Hill's murder.