Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
FIVE MEMBERS of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), including two women, were yesterday arrested and charged with the controversial killing of Christopher McKenzie, who was shot at the guardroom of the Croft's Hill Police Station, Clarendon, in March 2005.
The police officers were charged following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Kent Pantry, Q.C., that all the officers who had worked on that shift must be charged with murder.
A team from the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) journeyed to May Pen, Clarendon, yesterday morning to arrest Corporal Dave Clarke, Woman Constable Cecile Wright-Anderson, District Constable Cheryl McKay, Constable Howard Taveres and Constable Easton McGreggor.
Resident Magistrate Glen Brown offered them bail and ordered them to return to court on May 18. According to an officer at the BSI, the women were offered bail in the sum of $200,000 with surety, and the men $300,000.
As part of the condition of their bail, the five were asked to surrender their travel documents.
"The DPP also instructed that Corporal Clarke be charged departmentally for his failure to get urgent assistance for the injured Mr. McKenzie," said Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Granville Gause, of the BSI.
CONFLICTING REPORTS
There are conflicting reports surrounding the incident which took place more than a year ago. One version claimed that Mr. McKenzie had gone to the police station to file a report when an argument developed between him and a policeman, during which he was shot.
Another version claimed Mr. McKenzie visited the station and attacked a female officer who was on duty. Further allegations are that Mr. McKenzie, who at the time was visiting the island, was shot by a 'jealous' cop.
The incident was investigated by BSI detectives who submitted the file to the DPP. According to Mr. Gause, the file came back from the BSI on April 9 and was forwarded to Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas.
On Wednesday, another policeman was charged by the DPP. Constable Ewan Donaldson was charged with robbery with aggravation and shooting with intent. He was offered bail in the sum of $200,000 and is scheduled to return to court on May 25.
In the meantime, four other policemen are scheduled to face an identification parade next week, in connection with the controversial killing of a Kingston man earlier this year. This was confirmed yesterday by Acting ACP Gause.
Since last year, at least 27 members of the police force have been arrested and charged by the BSI as instructed by the DPP. At the end of 2005, the figure was 18. So far this year, at least nine officers have been charged.
