BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — Detective Corporal Connel Smith, who is stationed at the Siloah Police Station in St Elizabeth, is to face murder charges later this year.

He was arrested and charged with murder following a ruling in the Black River Coroner’s Court last week. Smith was charged in connection with the May, 1987 death of Maurice Tibby of Rocky Hill in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth.

The coroner’s court was told that Smith was among a group of police officers who went to Rock Hill in search of Tibby, who was wanted for larceny of cattle.

It is alleged that during the operation Tibby, who attacked a member of the police party with a machete, was shot in the chest when Smith went to his colleague’s assistance.

Tibby was taken to the Black River Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Last Wednesday, a seven-member jury returned a verdict that Smith was criminally responsible for Tibby’s death.

An arrest warrant was prepared and the cop was taken into custody while still in court.

He is scheduled to appear in the Michealmas session of the St Elizabeth circuit court on November 17 to answer to a charge of murder.

Meanwhile, Observer sources say the ruling has not gone down well with a number of police officers stationed in the parish. They have questioned how it was possible for the coroner’s court to arrive at its ruling 16 years after the crime — especially since some of the witnesses have died.

They have made it clear, however, that they will respect the ruling of the court.