Witness in Mario Deane trial denies making claims recorded in statement to INDECOM

The cross-examination of a former inmate at the St James-based Barnett Street Police Station lock-up continued in the Westmoreland Circuit Court today, with the man refuting certain statements he reportedly made about the cops who are on trial for Mario Deane's death.

Under cross-examination from attorney Martyn Thomas, who is part of the defence team for Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, the witness denied telling officers from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) that Stewart remained outside the cell-block after an alarm was raised about Deane being beaten in one of the cells on August 3, 2014.

The witness had previously testified that Stewart, Clevon, and Grant put Deane in a cell with inmates of unsound mind, and that the three defendants later came back to the cell-block after other inmates raised the alarm about Deane's beating.

Under further cross-examination, the witness also denied telling investigators that Grant took Deane and another prisoner from the cells on the second floor of the cell-block and later brought them back.

Thomas then showed the witness several portions of a statement he gave to INDECOM with those quotations.

In response, the witness said that while he acknowledged they were in the statement, he did not remember ever saying them himself.

The trial continues later this afternoon.

Stewart, Clevon, and Grant are charged with manslaughter and misconduct in a public office, arising from Deane's death on August 6, 2014, three days after he was beaten while in custody at the Barnett Street lock-up for possession of a ganja spliff.

Stewart is also charged with perverting the course of justice, under allegations that she ordered the cleaning of the cell where Deane was beaten, prior to the arrival of investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations.

- Christopher Thomas

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