Mario Deane
.png)
00:00
00:00
00:00
Mercia Frazer, the mother of Mario Deane
By Lorraine Walker
Mercia Frazer, the mother of Mario Deane, is hopeful that her 10-year quest for justice will not continue for too much longer.
This follows news on Friday morning that the trial of the three police officers implicated in her son's death, has been moved to Westmoreland.
The trial, repeatedly postponed since 2018, again failed to get underway on Thursday due to issues with empanelling jurors.
Supreme Court judge, Justice Bertram Morrison, who was hearing the case in the St. James Circuit Court, recommended on Thursday that the matter be tried outside of the parish.
Ms. Frazer expressed relief that the matter has been moved.
"At one point, I rather Kingston because then I know there is a lot of court rooms and you would find more people going out for jury duties. But as long as it will happen in Westmoreland, I'm fine with it," she said.
Corporal Elaine Stewart, Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant are charged with manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, and misconduct in a public office in connection with the beating death of Mr. Deane in 2014.
The matter is set to be called up in the Westmoreland Circuit Court on February 17 next year.
Attorney Dalton Reid, who is representing one of the accused police officers, said his client is relieved that the matter was not transferred to Kingston as he is estimating that the trial could run over several weeks, and it would be difficult to travel.
Mario Deane was beaten on August 3, 2014 while in custody at the Barnett Street Police Station, in Montego Bay, St. James.
He died three days later at Cornwall Regional Hospital.
All feeds
