Crown’s final witness enters plea bargain with DPP, expected to testify later this week

THE PROSECUTION’S final witness, who is expected to testify later this week, has entered into a guilty plea with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for offences stemming from his involvement with the ‘special’ police squad, according to Queen’s Counsel Caroline Hay.

Hay, who is the lead prosecutor in the trial for murder-accused Constable Collis ‘Chucky’ Brown, made the revelation at the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston yesterday.

On Monday, she told the court that the availability of the Crown’s last witness could not be confirmed, but yesterday she indicated that he may testify as early as tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a six-member jury was shown an edited video of the interview that the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) conducted with Brown at a hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, on August 6, 2013.

This interview was captured using a covert recording device operated by an INDECOM officer.

In the more than hour-long video, Brown detailed his activities in the ‘special’ police squad while appearing to be relaxed, smiling and using his cell phone on a few occasions.

Due to poor audio quality on the video recording, the prosecution also attempted to play the stand-alone audio. However, minutes into the audio playback, presiding judge Justice Vivene Harris stopped it, citing that she heard something that should have been edited out.

Before the adjournment, she indicated that she will take a second listen to the audio and give instructions for the removal of potentially prejudicial material from it.

CHALLENGES TO BECOME A COP

Subsequently, Assistant Commissioner of INDECOM, Hamish Campbell, was called to the stand to read an edited version of the letter that Brown allegedly gave to him on January 18, 2014.

In the letter, Brown spoke about the challenges he faced to become a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the effect his father leaving had on him and his family. He also made mention of his ‘special’ squad activities.

Brown is indicted for the January 10, 2009 murder of Robert ‘Gutty’ Dawkins along the Palmer’s Cross main road in Clarendon and the December 13, 2012 murders of Dwayne Douglas and Andrew Fearon along the Swansea main road in the parish.

He is also facing one count of wounding with intent and one count of conspiracy to murder.