Kingston trial judge rejects bias claim as police probe killings and assaults across parishes

Trial judge Sonya Linton told the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston on Monday that she has not shown favouritism in the murder trial of six police officers that has been under way since January. The case relates to the January 12, 2013 shooting deaths of Matthew Lee, Eucliff Dyer, and Demark Allen during an alleged shootout with police on Acadia Drive in Barbican, St. Andrew, near the intersection with Evans Avenue.

Defence attorney Hugh Wildman, representing four of the six accused, raised concerns after the matter was adjourned from Thursday to Monday to give prosecutor Kathy Ann Pyke more time linked to photographs of a station diary from the Constant Spring Police Station. The diary, which cannot be found more than 13 years later, is sought for admission into evidence. Wildman also said the case was put off without defence counsel present and argued that jurors and other parties should not be at the mercy of prosecution adjournments.

Judge Linton rejected the suggestion, calling Wildman disingenuous and noting the court had often granted defence lawyers leave to attend other courts during the seven-month trial. She thanked jurors for their diligence and said, "My integrity means much more to me than to be doing favors for one side."

On trial are Sergeant Simroy Mott, Corporal Donovan Fullerton, and Constables Andrew Smith, Sheldon Richards, Oral Andy Rose, and Richard Lynch. Fullerton also faces a charge of making false statements to the Independent Commission of Investigations.

In St. Catherine, the partially decomposed body of Lascelles Kerr, 80, was found at his Grove, Kitson Town home on Monday morning with his head bashed in. Police said Kerr was last seen alive in the community about 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3, and his body was discovered about 8:15 a.m. on July 6. Investigators believe one or more persons forced entry, assaulted him, and struck his head with a concrete block. The Spanish Town Criminal Investigation Branch is investigating.

Construction worker Jordan Lightbody pleaded not guilty last Wednesday before Judge Natisha Fairclough-Hilton to common-law assault and uttering threats stemming from an incident about 9:40 a.m. on May 31. The prosecution alleged that during a heated argument, while the complainant stood on a ladder, Lightbody placed a knife against the man's left side and said, "I will cut out your stomach and will make man shoot you." He also allegedly claimed links with persons in the Lilliput area. The complainant declined mediation, and trial was set for September 14.

A 43-year-old unemployed man from St. Catherine was hospitalized in serious condition Monday night after being shot several times while sitting at a stall near the traffic light in Naggo Head about 9:40 p.m. A gunman reportedly exited a grey Toyota Axio, opened fire, and struck the victim before he fled to White Lane and collapsed. He was taken to Spanish Town Hospital. The Portmoreton Criminal Investigation Branch is investigating.

In Westmoreland, 40-year-old Dwayne Shearer of Marl Road, Bethel Town, has been charged with burglary, larceny, and unlawful wounding after an incident along Tangerine Drive in Hermitage Housing Scheme about 2:45 p.m. Police said a homeowner, at home with his family, found crates and bottles removed from his garage and discovered Shearer inside with a knife. A struggle left both men injured before Shearer fled. He was arrested during a police operation on Monday, June 29.