INDECOM probes death of Mario Deane

Investigators assigned to the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) on Friday started  interviewing personnel who were on duty when 31-year-old construction worker, Mario Deane was allegedly beaten and later died.

Deane’s death is the subject of a high level investigation, being spearheaded by the investigative body.

Deane,31, died Wednesday, from injuries he sustained while in custody.  

The police claimed he  was beaten by fellow prisoners, however relatives and friends have denied the police version of the circumstances which led to his death.   

For the second day residents of Rosemount in the western parish of St. James staged  protests to vent their anger over his death.

Senior members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force spoke to the   residents and reassured them that the circumstances which led to Dean's death are being thoroughly investigated.

The police were successful in defusing the tension even as residents vowed to continue their protest until they get justice.

Deane, a construction worker, was arrested for possession of ganja.

The police say, they offered to grant him bail, but he refused to provide the necessary information to complete the process.

Meanwhile human rights group, Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) says it's  deeply disturbed by the inconsistencies surrounding the circumstances of Deane' death. 

According to JFJ, the information contradicting the police's claim about the circumstances of the death, is extremely troubling.

JFJ has called for an immediate post mortem, in accordance with best practice, and in the presence of an independent observer representing the family.

And The Human Rights Commission of the People’s National Party (PNP) is also saddened by the incident.

The PNP Human Rights Commission called for an expeditious, impartial and transparent investigation, into the circumstances that led to Dean's death.

It also questioned why someone charged with the relatively minor offence of possession of a spliff, should have been placed in custody, given the issue of overcrowding, and the Government's announced direction in making such an offence, a misdemeanor.