A MAN who was charged with murdering a policeman was freed yesterday because the main witness, a policeman, has resigned from the force and his address abroad is unknown.
The Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi (no prosecution order) in the case of Latimore Washington, labourer, of Kingston.
It was disclosed in court that the policeman, a sergeant, had not given a written statement in the case, so the new Amendment to the Evidence Act, whereby statements of witnesses who have died or emigrated can be tendered in evidence in court, could not apply.
Washington was charged with the murder of Constable Kerlon Palmer, 22, who was stationed at Harman Barracks, Up Park Camp, Kingston.
Cons. Palmer was shot dead at Highland Club, Mannings Hill Road, St. Andrew, about 1 a.m. on March 15, 1999. He and other patrons were at the club when two gunmen entered, robbed them, and shot him. He died on the way to hospital.
Crown Counsel Evan Brown told Justice Donald McIntosh yesterday in the Home Circuit Court that the DPP was entering a nolle prosequi because the main witness in the case could not be located.
Washington was represented by attorney Ravil Golding.
