The two brothers charged with the murder of a policeman were remanded when they appeared in the May Pen Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, despite their lawyer's claim that he was "supremely confident" they would be freed.

Attorney-at-law Ernest Smith made this pronouncements when he appeared to defend O'Neil 'Neil Diamond' Donaldson, 21, and his brother Ricardo 'Ricky Trooper' Ford, 24, who are charged with the March 26 murder of Police Constable Richard Alexander.

When the men appeared before Resident Magistrate Nicole Simmons, they pleaded not guilty.

Defence confident

Mr. Smith said he was confident the defence would come out on top in the case as the prosecution had fallen short. The Resident Magistrate told him, however, that, despite his optimism, the question of bail could not be entertained as it was a serious case and the file was just presented to the court. The men were remanded to return to court on April 30.

On March 26, about 9:30 p.m., Constable Alexander, from the St. Andrew South Division, went to quell a dispute. He was found dead the next morning in a gully at Junior Crescent, with what appeared to be stab and gunshot wounds. The brothers were taken into custody and charged with the murder.