Constable Andrew Wilson denied bail in Latoya Bulgin murder case

Constable Andrew Wilson, the police officer accused of murdering 45-year-old Latoya ‘Buju’ Bulgin during a May 17 shooting in Granville, St James, was refused bail this morning when he appeared in the St James Parish Court.

Parish judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton said bail would not be granted because of the need to protect public order. She referred to Wilson’s position as a member of the police force and reports that Bulgin was killed during a peaceful demonstration connected to the earlier fatal shooting of her cousin. The judge also noted the prosecution’s position that the circumstances alleged against Wilson did not amount to self-defence.

Prosecutors further argued that, if released, Wilson could try to influence civilian witnesses or fail to return to court.

The court also heard that the prosecution file is not yet complete. Outstanding material includes an additional statement concerning CCTV from the incident, a forensic certificate tied to the ballistic report, the arresting officer’s statement, and interview transcripts from police personnel who were present at the scene.

Wilson was represented at the bail hearing by attorney-at-law Michael Hemmings. He was remanded in custody and is to return to court on June 16, when the matter is scheduled for mention.

The Independent Commission of Investigations said the Director of Public Prosecutions gave a ruling on Friday that Wilson be charged with murder after reviewing a file sent by investigators. Wilson was arrested and charged on Wednesday.

INDECOM said its probe was assisted by “prompt collection and analysis of video evidence,” among them CCTV recordings, body-worn camera footage and cellphone videos. The commission said those recordings helped investigators form “an objective understanding” of the deadly encounter.

The oversight body said quick access to video helps investigators identify people, test the accuracy of accounts, set out timelines and develop stronger evidential leads.

Video from CCTV that spread on social media after the shooting shows an officer opening fire at a vehicle being driven by Bulgin.

The killing, along with the placement of Bulgin’s body in a police van, triggered anger from the public and intense protests by Granville residents. It also revived demands for body-worn cameras to be used in high-risk police operations. The officer was later suspended from duty.

INDECOM also reported that, since January 2024, 65 law enforcement officers have been charged in matters investigated by the commission. That total includes nine Jamaica Constabulary Force members and one correctional officer charged in 2026.