Klansman Trial Investigator Challenged Over DNA Handling In Zamari McKay Murder Case

The police detective who led the probe into the alleged robbery and killing of St Catherine resident Zamari McKay faced sharp criticism in court on Wednesday after saying he did not turn his mind to whether the killer or killers could have left DNA on clothing found at the scene, including material used to tie the dead man’s feet.

The witness, a detective sergeant, was giving evidence-in-chief for a second consecutive day when he told the court that on August 11, 2022, he went to a section of the Lakes Pen main road in St Catherine. There, he said, he observed a body lying face down in what he described as an illegal dumping area. The man’s feet were tied, and he had gunshot wounds.

Prosecutors say the body was McKay’s. The Crown has linked his alleged robbery and murder to accused men Carlos Williams, Jermaine Clarke and Owen Billings, who are charged under counts 28 and 29 of the indictment with “knowingly facilitating” both crimes.

Williams, Clarke and Billings are three of 25 defendants now on trial in relation to offences prosecutors attribute to the so-called Tesha Miller faction of the Klansman Gang.

During cross-examination by attorney Paul Gentles, the investigator acknowledged that he was not wearing protective clothing or gloves while at the scene. He added, “We had gloves in the car.”

The detective had told the court on Tuesday that several items taken from McKay’s body were later given to him. Those included a driver’s licence, a Taxpayer Registration Number card, and an identification card and bank card in another person’s name.

He accepted that gloves are important in avoiding contamination, but maintained that the items had already been processed before they came into his possession. The witness also said he was wearing gloves when he received the items, which have since become exhibits in the trial.

Gentles openly challenged that account. When the lawyer asked whether contamination could have occurred if the investigator collected the items before DNA swabbing or fingerprint testing, the detective replied, “It could have been.”

The prosecution objected as Gentles continued the questioning, arguing that no evidence had been placed before the court to show any possible DNA issue. The lawyer nevertheless pressed the witness about the merino reportedly used to tie McKay’s feet and the shirt that had been pulled over the dead man’s head.

The investigator said he did not preserve either garment because, at the time, he did not view them as possible evidence.

“With all due respect, sir, I am going to suggest that you were a negligent investigator at the time you investigated Zamari McKay’s case,” Gentles told him.

“I don’t agree,” the detective answered.

Another defence attorney, Lynden Wellesley, later cross-examined the witness and accused him of making a “series of blunders” by giving details from the witness box that were absent from his original statement.

Wellesley called the detective a liar and alleged that he had “surgically” taken out details from the statement contained on the prosecution’s disclosed file, only to introduce them during his oral testimony.

The detective denied that claim, saying he mentioned the additional details only because specific questions were put to him in court.

The trial is scheduled to continue today.