Sick policeman testifies in trial of cops in Mario Deane case

Despite showing signs of illness, the evidence-in-chief of Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevin Francis appeared in the Westmoreland Circuit Court as the trial of three cops implicated in Mario Deane's death in 2014 resumed today.

Wearing a medical mask and occasionally sipping water, Francis, who was the commanding officer in charge of the Barnett Street Police Station lock-up in Montego Bay at the time Deane was beaten while in custody at the facility on August 3, 2014, told the court that a general station diary and a separate cell diary were in use at the premises during that period.

Francis explained that, depending on the layout of some police stations, two diaries might be used if the cell block is a significant distance away from the station's main building.

The witness also explained that the police have a lock-up policy briefing in which the welfare of prisoners, including their safety in custody, are regularly outlined to the staff on shift duty at the cells.

The trial is continuing.

The the cops on trial are Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant.

They are charged with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and taking steps to pervert the course of justice, under allegations that they were on duty at the Barnett Street Police Station lock-up in Montego Bay, St James on August 3, 2014, at the time when Deane was beaten while in custody.

It is also alleged that Stewart, the senior officer on duty, ordered the cleaning of the cell where the beating took place before investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations arrived.

- Christopher Thomas

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