MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Twenty-three-year-old Kemar Bennett, who was charged with the murder of Corporal Melvin Smith here late last year, will be facing the Manchester Parish Court again on Tuesday.

He was remanded when he appeared before the court on Wednesday.

The prosecution told the court that statements were still outstanding from investigating officers and requested a September date for him to return.

However, parish judge Desiree Alleyne declined the request and insisted that the necessary assistance should be sought to get the outstanding documents in short order, to move the case forward.

Smith, a beloved police officer who was based at the Community Safety and Security branch in the parish, was shot dead in the town of Mandeville in October 2017, while trying to apprehend robbers. Bennett and another suspect were reportedly placed on identification parade in relation to the murder but only Bennett was pointed out.

The matter is being probed by the Major Investigation Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Alicia Sutherland