The original Dictaphone recording of a radio transmission between former head of the now disbanded Crime Management Unit (CMU), Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams, and police control on May 7, 2003 when four civilians were shot dead by the police in Crawle, Clarendon, was played for the 12-member jury hearing the murder case in the Home Circuit Court, Kingston, yesterday.

On the recording, Adams is heard saying he and members of his unit were fired on by 10 gunmen from a house at Pennants, Clarendon and that the police were returning the fire.

Adams: “Control, CMU 1. Note, we are in Pennants, Clarendon approaching a house; about 10 gunmen have opened fire on us. We are returning the fire.”

Adams: “Ask Chapelton (police) to come up to Pennants Road near to the gold mine, some persons have been injured. We want to take them to hospital. Note, a telescopic rifle with telescopic lens, M16 rounds and other ammunition have been found.”

Unidentified Voice: “One up, Reneto. That man ‘Chen Chen’ might be in that group. Good work, supa.”

Another unidentified voice: “A wonder whey Mr Perkins a go say? Big up, supa.”

Adams: “Control, have you informed Chapelton for assistance?”

Control: “Right sah, same was done.”

Adams then calls control several times but gets no reply. Control later replies, explaining that the radio is acting up.

Adams: “Control, some gunmen have been killed. I am asking if the unit has already left.”

There is no answer from control.

Adams: “Control, I can’t imagine I am not getting you. We need to get these people off to the hospital.”

A voice from control responds that the vehicle has already left.

Later, Adams is heard reporting: “Control, another firearm has been recovered; a Taurus magazine and ammunition. I will soon afford you with information.”

Control then tells Adams that the vehicle sent to take the people to hospital cannot find him.

Adams: “This is a sad day for them. I am on the road leading to the gold mine area and (they) can’t find me. It is a sad day for them.”

Adams: Control, could you call me on 399-2798? I am trying to get you on 119 but can’t get you.”

After the recording was played, technical operator Sergeant Granville Williams, who made the tape, testified that he was fairly conversant with telecommunications systems in the police force for 11 years.

Bureau of Special Investigation head, Superintendent Ezra Stewart, testified under cross-examination that the scene at Crawle was not satisfactorily protected.

“The arrangements for security to protect the scene, in my opinion, were not satisfactory,” he told the court, adding that on May 9 when he visited, the scene was unprotected. He nevertheless said he saw a district constable on duty there.

He said police tape should have been placed around the scene, which he considered a crime scene, and about two policemen should have been placed there to protect the scene and ensure that evidence was not contaminated or moved to ensure thoroughness and professionalism.

Exhibits of the four deceased persons’ clothing, and bed linen taken from the house at Crawle were not shown to the jury or defence lawyers as Superintendent Stewart refused to open the parcels containing the exhibits.

Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, who is hearing the case, agreed, pointing out that the words “health hazard” were marked across the polyethylene bags containing the exhibits.

They were, however, accepted in evidence despite strong objections from defence lawyers, who submitted that the prosecution ought to ensure that exhibits are brought to court as non-hazardous items.