Senior JDF Captain Raymond McLeod Due in Florida Court on DUI Charge

A senior Jamaica Defence Force officer embedded with a United States-based international counter-narcotics task force is due in a Florida court on July 30 on a driving-under-the-influence charge after a child-cruelty count was dropped, his attorney says.

Captain Raymond A. McLeod, 38, was arrested by the Key West Police Department on July 4. According to his lawyer, Patricia Gibson, and online arrest records, he was initially charged with third-degree felony cruelty to a child — described as abuse without great bodily injury — and second-degree misdemeanor DUI. The Monroe County Clerk of Court's office and Gibson say the cruelty charge has since been nolle prossed. Court records allege McLeod's blood-alcohol level was 0.15 or higher at the time of arrest; Florida's legal limit is 0.08. Gibson said her client has pleaded not guilty to the remaining DUI charge. Asked about the circumstances, she said she was not present and referred to the police report, adding it may not be public because a person under 18 was involved. McLeod serves with the JDF contingent attached to the US-led Joint Interagency Task Force South. The JDF had not responded to questions submitted last Wednesday.

In Portland, police are investigating after the body of a female foetus was found in bushes near the Registrar General's Department building in West Palm Court, Port Antonio, on Wednesday. Officers said one hand and both feet appeared bitten off, presumably by animals, and estimated the foetus at six to seven months. Investigators plan to check health facilities for maternity visits as they seek the mother.

In Greater Portmore, St. Catherine, the Independent Commission of Investigations and Portmore police are conducting separate probes into the reported accidental shooting of a policewoman at her home about 6:10 a.m. Wednesday. Her licensed Glock 19 reportedly fell from her bed; as she tried to catch it, her finger entered the trigger guard and the weapon discharged, wounding her index finger. She received medical attention, the scene was processed, and the firearm was seized.

Taxi operator Aki Marshall, 32, of Cromwell, Highgate, was killed in a crash on the Highgate Bypass in St. Mary about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday. Islington police are investigating.

Also in Portmore, Twin Hines, 24, otherwise called Elasco, has been arrested and charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and using a firearm to commit a felony in the Tuesday night killing of taxi operator Andre Thomas. Police say Thomas was standing with others at a bus bay along Dawkins Drive near the Portmore Mall about 9:30 p.m. when a gunman approached and shot him in the head. He was pronounced dead at hospital. A court date is being finalized.

Kingston Public Hospital says it has introduced measures to address operational challenges flagged in a social media post, including stationery, laundry and infrastructure. After its main high-volume printer failed, the hospital used smaller printers, arranged off-site printing and hired a commercial printer for clinical forms; a new multi-purpose printer was commissioned on Monday, July 20. In-house laundry capacity was expanded with additional industrial washers and two panel vans for linen, with 400 bed sheets expected by week's end. Ward 3 East remains temporarily closed for roof repairs; work continues on elevators two and three; and the outpatient department south operating theatre is returning to full readiness after central air-conditioning repairs. Acting Chief Executive Officer Dwayne Francis said the hospital remains committed to safe, reliable care and will keep marking its 250th anniversary under the theme "250 years of healing to the nation," culminating on December 14.