ST JAMES, Jamaica — The ongoing ventilation problem affecting the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James has contributed to a delay in the committal proceeding against the three police personnel who are charged, by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), in relation to the death of St James resident, Mario Deane.

It was disclosed on Monday in the St James Parish Court that the crown was not able to proceed at the moment with a witness who is a police officer and was off the island. The prosecution also stated that the crown was unable to proceed with a second witness who is in need of a medical evaluation.

“The witness would in fact add something to the witness case. The difficulty however, your honour, that I am being advertised by my learned friend is that the particular witness, your honour, is to be examined by a medical practitioner at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, your honour. 

“However, this has proven difficult your honour. Not by any fault of the prosecution but the hospital is currently going through some difficulty, your honour, and as such he was not able to be assessed when he went to the Cornwall Regional,” the clerk of court told parish Judge, Sandria Wong Small.

Judge Wong-Small later gave an April 10 return date.

The three, Woman Corporal Elaine Stewart; District Constable Marlon Grant; and District Constable Juliana Clevon were each charged with manslaughter, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.

The police took Deane into custody on Sunday, August 3, 2014 for position of a ganja ‘spliff’. However, Dean died three days later on the sixth in hospital after receiving severe injures to the head while in custody at the Barnett Street Police station.

Anthony Lewis