Cops charged in Mario Deane case to stand trial Monday

On Monday, three police officers are scheduled to stand trial for criminal charges in the 2014 death of Mario Deane. 

Mario Deane was beaten on August 3, 2014 while in custody at the Barnett Street Police Station, in Montego Bay.

He had been arrested for possession of a ganja spliff.

Deane died three days later at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

Police corporal Elaine Stewart and constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant were  arrested and charged with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice, in relation to Deane’s death.

Deane's prison cell mates, Marvin Orr and Adrian Morgan, also pleaded guilty to manslaughter in relation to his death.

In July, High Court Justice Glen Brown ordered the release of Deane's cell mates, citing that the men had been in custody since their arrest nearly six years ago.

"The sentence of the court is five years and six months at hard labour, and the sentence is already served, so they should be released forthwith,” said Brown.

Their release follows that of a third defendant, Damion Cargill, who in 2017 was judged as unfit to plea and was then released into his family’s care.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.