Klansman trial: prosecution warns defence on disclosure during detective cross-examination

Tensions flared in the Supreme Court on Wednesday when prosecutors told defence lawyers to stick to disclosed material while they grilled a police witness in the long-running Klansman gang case against alleged leader Tesha Miller and 24 co-defendants.

The detective constable told Justice Dale Palmer that on 11 August 2022, while on duty, he took a call from a corporal at Greater Port Maria CID and went to a scene where other officers were already working. He was led along a safe path, saw a man face down with bound hands and injuries consistent with gunfire, and noted what looked like blood. He said he processed the scene, the body was bagged and taken to Spanish Town Hospital, where a doctor confirmed death, and he later logged items at the station.

Under cross-examination, Patricia Gabbidon pressed him on a 2022 statement and a second one prepared in 2026 after a fresh request. When she asked about escorting the body to Spanish Town Hospital, he agreed he had not mentioned that trip in earlier testimony.

The crown then warned the defence to remain faithful to disclosure. Gabbidon said her questions matched what the prosecution had handed over and that the witness had had chances in both 2022 and 2026 to give a full account; he agreed.

Prosecutors declined to re-examine the officer, saying they did not want to breach rules on prior consistent statements. They also said concerns about the defence’s line of questioning had been raised on and off the record and were not new. Justice Palmer asked whether re-examination might be allowed if the defence implied recent fabrication; the crown replied there was no claim the witness was lying.

The testimony ties to counts 28 and 29—robbery with aggravation and the murder of Zamari McKay. Carlos Williams, Jermaine Clark, and Owen Billings face those charges. The matter resumes Thursday at the downtown Kingston Supreme Court.