Cop could face life imprisonment for Alpha student's shooting

Five members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were charged by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) yesterday in relation to the shooting injury of a Convent of Mercy Academy student late last month.

One of the cops, Corporal Kirk Haye, has been charged with wounding with intent and breaching the INDECOM Act by failing to answer questions at an interview and fail to furnish the Commission with statements.

The crime of shooting with intent, which is charged under the Offences Against the Person Act, carries a sentence of at least 15 years behind bars and a maximum of life imprisonment.

Under the INDECOM Act, a person who fails to comply with a lawful requirement of the Commissioner, faces a prison term of up to three years and/or a $3 million fine.

misconduct

The four other cops, Corporal Shawn Abrahams, Constable Warren Ramsay, Constable Damion Gillespie and Constable Archibald Wright have been charged with misconduct in a public office.

The have also been been charged with breaching the INDECOM Act by failing to answer questions at an interview and fail to furnish the Commission with statements.

When the police officers appeared before the St. Andrew Parish Court, Corporal Abrahams, Constables Gillespie, Ramsay and Wright were all granted bail in the amount of $500, 000 with sureties.

Corporal Haye was granted bail in the sum of $1, 000,000 with sureties.

Haye is accused of shooting into a 'robot' taxi at the intersection of North Street and Mark Lane in downtown Kingston. A 15 year old student was shot in the head from a bullet which was fired into the vehicle.