St James Circuit Court to take up murder case against Constable Andrew Wilson in Latoya Bulgin shooting

The murder prosecution against Constable Andrew Wilson, the police officer implicated in the killing of Granville resident Latoya 'Buju' Bulgin in a case that drew national anger, is expected to advance to the St James Circuit Court next week.

Wilson, whose legal team includes King's Counsel Peter Champagnie and attorney Michael Hemmings, was in the St James Parish Court on Friday. Parish Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce told him the file would be sent up to the circuit court on Monday, July 13. His bail of $1 million was renewed.

The judge was told that while cases of this kind usually reach the higher court only after a committal hearing, that step will be skipped because a nolle prosequi was entered, closing the parish court stage. Sources indicate that when Wilson is back before the court on Monday, a voluntary bill will be lodged so the matter can go straight before the St James Circuit Court.

Wilson was taken into custody and charged with murder on June 3, shortly after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions decided on May 29 that he should face criminal prosecution. The allegation relates to the May 17 shooting death of Bulgin in Granville, St James.

Public fury followed the release of CCTV video shared online that seemed to depict an officer shooting at a car Bulgin was driving. The recording also showed her body being loaded into a police vehicle, prompting demonstrations by upset Granville residents and fresh demands that the Jamaica Constabulary Force roll out body-worn cameras for high-risk police work.