Cops freed of 2016 fatal shooting

Three policemen were freed on Monday in connection with the 2016 fatal shooting of a man in a yard located on Bond Street in West Kingston.

Corporals Rhamone Scott and Gregory South and Constable Duwayne Kelly James were all tried in the death of Jamar 'Shaba' Walford. The judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty following no-case submissions made by the defence lawyers. Corporal Scott was freed of murder while the other two policemen were freed of wounding charges. The Independent Commission of Investigations had investigated the matter.

The prosecution led evidence at the trial in the Home Circuit Court that Walford was shot and killed near his premises at 70 Bond Street, on May 27, 2016. It was alleged that Walford was shot and injured when he attempted to flee. The prosecution presented ballistics and forensic evidence to prove its case.

Two witnesses testified that they saw several cops enter the premises and had heard explosions soon after but were unable to say which officers shot Walford. The policemen claimed they were acting in self-defence when Walford opened fire on them. A Taurus revolver and an AK-47 weapon were recovered.

After the prosecution closed its case, the defence lawyers argued that the matter should be thrown out because the Crown had failed to make out a case sufficient to leave for the jury's consideration.