Jamaica court roundup: bail in Clarendon police shooting case, St James fraud matter and planned lawsuit after acquittal

A Clarendon labourer was granted $400,000 bail on Thursday after appearing in the May Pen Parish Court on firearm-related charges linked to a March 6 police checkpoint shooting. Hartley Blake, 34, of York Town, is accused of possession of a prohibited weapon, ammunition and shooting with intent.

Police alleged Blake was driving a Honda on Comfort Main Road about 8:55 p.m. with three male passengers when the men fired at officers after the vehicle was signalled to stop. The police said they returned fire, and Michael Pinoch, Dean Williams and Rashin Lynch were later pronounced dead at May Pen Hospital. Blake, who police said left the scene, later arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds. His attorney, King's Counsel Peter Champagnie, told the court that 12 police officers fired at least 50 rounds and that Blake's wounds were to his back. Blake denied having a gun or taking part in a shootout. Senior Parish Judge De Finley set reporting conditions and ordered him back to court on September 21.

In St James, Carlos Christie was remanded after appearing before Judge Naticia Ferov Hilton on a conspiracy to defraud charge tied to an alleged overseas employment scheme. Three women allegedly deposited $52,000, $25,000 and $10,000 into a JN bank account connected to Christie after being promised job placement help. Christie said he had been held at the Brown's Town Police Station since July last year and did not know how his account was used. The court heard his debit card and documents had been given to his brother, who police said they have not located. The matter returns for case management on June 24.

In Kingston, attorney Mikuel Lauren said 22-year-old Roario Brown plans to sue the Government and police after firearm and shooting charges against him were dismissed in the Home Circuit Court. Brown was shot in the lower back during a May 6, 2023 police operation in Delree Park, St Andrew, and now uses a cane. Lauren said the case collapsed after conflicting prosecution evidence and that Brown needs physiotherapy and an orthopaedic assessment.