July 13 circuit court date set for officer charged in Bulgin shooting death

WESTERN BUREAU — Constable Andrew Wilson, the police officer facing a murder charge over the May 17 shooting death of Granville, St James resident Latoya ‘Buju’ Bulgin, is set to have his matter formally moved to the St James Circuit Court on Monday, July 13.

Wilson, who is defended by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and attorney Michael Hemmings, learned of the planned transfer from parish judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce during his latest appearance in the St James Parish Court this morning. The court also extended his $1 million bail.

Prosecutors told the court that although cases of this kind are usually sent to the higher court through a committal hearing, that step will not take place here. A nolle prosequi was filed to bring the parish court stage of the case to an end.

Wilson is expected to return on July 13, when a voluntary bill is to be submitted so the circuit court can take up the charge on the same day.

He was arrested and charged on June 3, the date of his first appearance before the St James Parish Court. That followed a May 29 ruling from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that he should face prosecution.

After the incident, CCTV footage shared widely on social media appeared to show a police officer opening fire on a vehicle Bulgin was driving.

The shooting, along with the way her body was placed into a police van, fuelled public anger and street protests in Granville. Residents also renewed demands for body-worn cameras during high-risk police operations.