The trial of the three policemen charged with 1999 murder of Noel Barnes, who was wanted for various crimes in Bull Bay, St. Andrew, began Tuesday in the Home Circuit Court.

They are Corporal Lerone Witter, District Constable Ukent Edwards and Constable Kirk Nunes.

The Crown is alleging that on August 27, 1999, the policemen shot Barnes several times. The body had 13 entrancewounds and four grazed gunshot wounds. The Crown is alleging that Barnes did not shoot at the police.

Acting Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, in opening the case to the jury, said Barnes had a right to get a fair trial.

One of the witnesses for the Crown, Gerald Jones, a security guard, could not be found and so his statement was read to the jury. Jones said that, on the day of the incident, he was at Bull Bay when Barnes, who was armed with a shotgun, fired at him. He said he returned the fire and Barnes' shotgun fell.

Barnes ran away into the bushes and he called the police. He said the police went in the direction where Barnes ran and, sometime after, he heard explosions.

Miss Justice Gloria Smith is presiding at the trial.