Wrong verdict - Defence lawyer dismayed at 'Chucky' conviction

Vincent Wellesley, a member of the team that unsuccessfully tried to have Constable Collis 'Chucky' Brown acquitted of murder charges, has expressed shock at yesterday's guilty verdict.

Brown was convicted on three counts of murder at the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

He was on trial for charges stemming from the 2009 murder of Damoy 'Gutty' Dawkins and the 2012 murders of Dwayne 'Murderous' Douglas and Andrew 'Sugar' Fearon.

He was also found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit murder and wounding with intent.

Wellesley believes that the verdict "has sent the wrong message to decent, hard-working policemen and women and it is going to further demoralise these good and decent police officers of this country, in particular, the police officers in Clarendon".

WRONGDOING IN THE JCF

But lead prosecutor Queen's Counsel Caroline Hay said the prosecution felt that justice was served.

"We think the Director's (Public Prosecutions) decision to prosecute the case in the open was important for the people of Jamaica, because the issues are national," she said.

Meanwhile, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), which levelled charges against Brown in 2014, said in a statement that the case "identified a range of wrongdoings in the Jamaica Constabulary Force" and hoped that "The JCF will continue its reform efforts".

The allegations against Brown were that he conspired with members of the Clarendon police to eliminate individuals believed to be committing crimes in the parish.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20.