In their closing arguments to the jury on Monday, the defence in the Mario Deane trial contended that the prosecution's star witness is a pathological liar.
After a delay caused by a juror's illness, the trial resumed with attorney Martyn Thomas, representing Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constable Marlon Grant, raising concerns about the prosecution's witness selection.
Mr Thomas questioned why former Barnett Street inmate Julian Williams was the only person selected from the police lock-up to give evidence in the 2014 brutal beating of Deane.
The attorney pointed out that other inmates had given statements but were never called by the prosecution to testify.
He encouraged the jurors to consider that Williams is a liar and that they should reject his evidence as it was riddled with inconsistencies.
He further told jurors that while the prosecution's closing statement was the best he has ever heard, they cannot rely on the evidence as it would be an injustice to the accused.
Attorney Dalton Reid, who is representing Juliana Clevon, in his closing statement, asserted that the system has thrown the cops under the bus.
The attorney pointed out that, while INDECOM and Jamaicans for Justice are always present at court, the Jamaica Police Federation has been absent.
The matter was later adjourned until Tuesday when high Court judge Justice Courtney Daye will begin his summation.
Corporal Stewart as well as Constables Clevon and Grant are on trial for the August 2014 beating death of Deane while he was in custody at the Barnett Street lockup in Montego Bay.
.jpg)
All feeds
