Trial of cops accused of murder and abduction begins

The trial of three policemen, accused of abducting and killing two men in 2004, commenced this morning before the Home Circuit Court.

Assistant Superintendent Victor Barrett and Corporals Louis Lynch and Paul Edwards, are accused of the murder of Kemar Walters and Oliver Duncan.

Walters and Duncan were arrested at the Washington Boulevard Plaza in December 2004, by members of the Organised Crime Investigation Division, OCID.

However, they have not been seen since.

A vehicle, which was being driven by Mr. Duncan, was found burnt in the Port Royal area a few days after his disappearance.

In outlining the case this morning, Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Dirk Harrison, said the prosecution will present evidence to show that the men were arrested by members of a police party in 2004.

He said, the men have not been seen since and are now presumed dead.

According to the senior prosecutor, the case which was considered "dead", was revived in 2008, when one of the policemen decided to come forward, to testify against his colleagues.

He said, the policeman will be the key prosecution witness at the trial.

Mr Harrison also added, that the evidence will show that ASP Barrett tried to cover up the crime of his juniors.

He argued, that there was a common plot by the policemen.

The court heard testimony today from the mother of Kemar Walters.

Claudette Angus testified that she last spoke with her son on December 21.

Mrs Angus, who became emotional during her testimony, said she visited several police stations and lock-ups in search of her missing 20 year old son, without success.

Mrs Angus told the court, that she had not seen her son since December 2004.