A case of mistaken identity

Cops’ error lands man on most wanted list Family fearful but fighting to clear his name

DAVIAN BROWN and his family are living in fear, and want his name cleared at once following the publication of his photograph on various media platforms on Friday labelling him as one of Jamaica’s most wanted men, and the most wanted man in Westmoreland.

One member of Brown’s family, who requested anonymity, told The Gleaner yesterday that her relative’s situation is a case of mistaken identity because, after careful checks, she received information that the name is correct, but that a wrong photo was inserted with the wanted person’s details.

“I was in shock Friday night when his picture was placed on the television for the most wanted man in Westmoreland. It came out again, and somebody called me and said your nephew is in The Mirror (a western Jamaica newspaper). When I got the paper, he was on the front page as the most wanted man in Westmoreland. The statement they used was, ‘Supermarket killer strikes again’.

NOT THE PERSON

“I got a lawyer and she called the police. She took him in, looked at the videos and everything, and they took a statement from him, released him, and said that it was a mistaken identity. He is not the person they were looking for because the person has previous arrests and is much older,” she explained.

The information from the police alleged that Davion Brown, otherwise called Balti, of a New Market Oval address in Westmoreland, is wanted for a murder, which was committed on Great Georges Street in Savanna-laMar, Westmoreland.

He is also wanted for three other murders and a shooting incident.

The family member expressed concern that the situation places Brown’s safety and future in jeopardy and wants something done to fix it.

“Mi stressed! The million-dollar question I want to find out is where the police get the photo from. His entire future just get wiped down the drain,” the family member lamented.

Head of the Corporate Communications Unit, Stephanie Lindsay, yesterday offered an apology, stating that it was, in fact, a mistake.

“We apologise to him! It really was an error. They have the same name and everything, but the face is different. When they (the police) did a rough search of the picture, it brought up his photo, because he is in the system as well,” Lindsay told The Gleaner.