INDECOM charges two cops for Westmoreland murder
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) says it has arrested and charged two police officers with murder.
Constables Duan Barrett and Sasamarley Barrett, both assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), were charged with the murder of Michael McKenzie, a resident of New Road, Westmoreland, INDECOM said in a release.
Both police officers appeared before Resident Magistrate Icolyn Reid in the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate’s Court, INDECOM said.
According to INDECOM, the police reported that on August 11, 2014 at approximately 4:30 am a group of police officers went to premises in New Road, Westmoreland allegedly to serve a warrant.
It was reported that the officers went into the room of the deceased where they were greeted with gunfire, the fire was returned and McKenzie was shot and killed. A firearm was allegedly recovered. However, the version of the police and that of civilian witnesses did not accord, INDECOM said.
The accused men were represented by attorneys-at-law Herwin Smart and Michael Erskine who made bail applications on their behalf. They were offered bail in the sum of $300,000.
The matter is set for mention on June 21, 2016.