Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Cops in ‘death squad’ trial deny shooting anyone
News
BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com  
March 9, 2017

Cops in ‘death squad’ trial deny shooting anyone

The two police officers who are accused of murdering a man and wounding another yesterday gave unsworn testimonies, in the so-called “death squad” murder trial, that they did not shoot anyone.

They both, however, testified that on the day of the incident, they were shot at by four gunmen. One of the policemen, Constable Collis Brown, told the court that he fired at the men, while the other, Corporal Roan Morrison, said he took “evasive action” when the shooting started.

“I did not shoot those men and I don’t know who shoot them,” Corporal Morrison said.

Constable Brown also refuted the evidence of the injured man, the main witness in the trial, who had testified that he had a conversation with Brown after he ordered him to get down on the ground.

“At no time did I exchange any words with (witness), or knew of him or used my M16 (rifle), which he said was a foot away from him, to shoot him,” Constable Brown testified yesterday.

Corporal Morrison and Constable Brown are being tried on murder and wounding with intent charges following an incident in which Phaebian Dinnal was fatally shot and another man injured on Windsor Avenue in May Pen, Clarendon, in February 2010.

Corporal Morrison is accused of killing Dinnal, while Constable Brown is accused of injuring the other man.

The policemen testified from the dock yesterday after Justice Jennifer Straw had thrown out a no-case application that was brought by defence counsels.

Both officers testified that on February 13, they received information that men were robbing and extorting people on Windsor Avenue. They said that they called for back-up and proceeded to the location with their M16 rifles, where they saw four men fitting the description received.

Constable Brown told the court that he shouted “police” and, in a quick glance, saw when two of the men pulled weapons from their waistbands and fired at them.

Brown said: “I then put my training into action by making myself the smallest target and throw myself on the ground and returned fire.”

The corporal, for his part, said after seeing the men, he got out of his motor vehicle and moved towards them and that immediately, there was a rapid exchange of gunfire and he took “evasive action”.

He also corroborated the main witness’ testimony that there was a third officer in the car on the day of the incident.

Both policemen also testified that after the shooting subsided, they saw two men who they rushed to the May Pen Hospital where one was pronounced dead and the other admitted for treatment.

Earlier in the day, their lawyers had argued that the prosecution had not presented definitive evidence to show that their clients are guilty of the offences.

Attorney Norman Godfrey, who is representing Brown, argued that there was no evidence, ballistic or otherwise, before the court showing how Dinnal was killed.

Godfrey also argued that the main witness’ testimony was riddled with inconsistencies, which should not be used to come to any finding adverse to the accused.

Meanwhile, attorney Vincent Wellesley, who is representing Morrison along with Althea Freeman, argued that there was no eyewitness account of how Dinnal was killed as the main witness had testified that when the shots were fired he was lying face down on the ground.

He also argued that the Crown had failed to create a nexus between his client and Dinnal’s death.

“The witness made mention of a third officer but no one knows if the deadly bullet came from his gun,” he argued.

In reply, the prosecution, led by Ann-Marie Fuertado-Richards, said the Crown had presented two versions of what reportedly occurred via the main witness and the evidence of Sergeant Balvey Thomas, who had reported what the police had told him that they came under fire and fired back at four gunmen.

However, she said that on the main witness’ account, self-defence does not arise. She also argued that both officers should be charged with the two offences as the evidence suggested that there was common design between them.

The trial will resume today in the Home Circuit Court, where the defence will make its closing address.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Insurance Association’s Business Conference set for April 20 and 21
Business, Latest News, News
Insurance Association’s Business Conference set for April 20 and 21
April 15, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ) will host its Business Conference on April 20–21, 2026. The conference, being under the...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Maxi Priest, Mykal Rose and Tony Rebel to headline South Florida’s Rebel Salute debut
Entertainment, Latest News
Maxi Priest, Mykal Rose and Tony Rebel to headline South Florida’s Rebel Salute debut
BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer 
April 15, 2026
After two postponements, Rebel Salute makes its South Florida debut on April 19 at Miramar Regional Park in Miramar, South Florida. Maxi Priest, Mykal...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US doesn’t ‘have time for Ukraine’ because of Iran war— Zelensky
International News, Latest News
US doesn’t ‘have time for Ukraine’ because of Iran war— Zelensky
April 14, 2026
BERLIN, Germany(AFP)—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday told a German broadcaster that US peace negotiators "have no time for Ukraine" ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
MLSS seeks to clarify ROOFS disbursement process amid queries
Latest News, News
MLSS seeks to clarify ROOFS disbursement process amid queries
April 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has moved to clarify that the distribution of grants under the Restoration of Ow...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Opposition MPs knock ROOFS programme, suggest victimisation
Latest News, News
Opposition MPs knock ROOFS programme, suggest victimisation
April 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Several Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) representing some of the parishes hardest-hit by Hurricane Melissa, took the Governme...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
New helmet standard targets road deaths
Latest News, News
New helmet standard targets road deaths
April 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Sydoney Preddie, lead for youth and education programme, JN Foundation, says Jamaica is losing billions of dollars annually due to m...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Reggae Girlz build cohesion in World Cup qualifiers
Latest News, News
Reggae Girlz build cohesion in World Cup qualifiers
April 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica’s national senior women’s football team, the ‘Reggae Girlz’, are continuing to build cohesion and sharpen their execution as...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Alleged Jamaican gangster facing charges after dragging Florida trooper with car
International News, Latest News
Alleged Jamaican gangster facing charges after dragging Florida trooper with car
April 14, 2026
An alleged gangster who is wanted in relation to murder in Jamaica was arrested during a targeted vehicle stop by law enforcement officers in Florida,...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct