Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterScores of dapperly dressed and uniformed police personnel turned out yesterday to support five of their colleagues, charged with the controversial shooting in Flankers, St. James two years ago.
The five accused, including one female constable, were each offered bail in the sum of $750,000, with one or two sureties. They were charged in connection with the killing of two senior citizens, 63-year-old David Baachas, a taxi operator and a 65-year-old newspaper vendor, Cecil Brown. A third person, Audrey Stephens, was also shot and injured in the October 18, 2003 incident.
Charged with two counts of murder each and wounding with intent are Special Constable Metro McFarlane, Kevin Williams, Kadian Smith, Donald Thomas and Woman Constable Bibzie Foster. They are to return to court on September 23.
Stay away from Flankers
High Court Judge Justice Wesley James ordered the accused personnel to stay away from the Flankers area. He charged that they must not be seen, whether night or day, near the community. This was based on a request by the prosecutor and acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Paula Llewellyn, as one of the conditions of bail.
"They are to report to the police three days per week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays," said ACP Gause.
The warrants of arrest were executed on the constables
shortly after 9:00 a.m. by ACP Gause, at the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) where the preliminary paperwork was done.
The accused officers were then taken to the Home Circuit Court where scores of their colleagues stood, awaiting their arrival. Among the senior officers who came out in support of the accused were Acting Deputy Commissioner Linval Bailey, Senior Superintendent Donald Pusey, Superintendent Devon Watkis and Assistant Superintendent Victor Barrett.
Senior citizens killed
Police reports claimed that the senior citizens were killed in a crossfire between police and gunmen.
The police's account of the incident earned the wrath of residents of Flankers, who strongly denied the claim of a shoot-out. The angry residents, who claimed the men were murdered in cold blood, staged two days of demonstrations, which were highlighted by flaming barricades at strategic locations along the much used Montego Bay to Falmouth main road.
In response to the incident, both National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips and the then Police Commissioner Francis Forbes visited the area and apologised to the families of the slain men. Retired Superintendent Artice Brown-Getton was later dispatched to the area to act as the police`s liaison officer with the community. The JCF also contributed just over $500,000 towards the funeral expenses of both men.
