KINGSTON, Jamaica — Justice Vivienne Harris has thrown out an application for Constable Collis “Chucky” Brown to be tried separately on three counts of murder in connection to the shooting death of three men in Clarendon between 2009 and 2012, for which he is accused.

The officer, who has been in custody since 2014, will now be tried for the deaths of Damon Dawkins on January 10, 2009 and Andrew Fearing and Wayne Douglas both in December 13, 2012.

Brown will also be tried on a charge of conspiracy and wounding with intent.

Attorney Norman Godfrey yesterday made an application for the murder charges to be tried separately while arguing that if the all the matters were tried together his client would be prejudiced.

However, the judge in refusing the application this morning said that the charges together established a prima facie case and that there was sufficient nexus for the matters to be tried together.

She also posited that joint trial was desirable in the interest of justice as well as in the best interest of the public, prosecution, witnesses and the defendant.

Attorney Dyer had also made an application for the conspiracy count to be quashed but that was also rejected by the judge.

Justice Harris said that the conspiracy count should remain as it will allow for the presentation of the full case that is being presented against Brown.

In the meantime, she said it is the responsibility of the trial judge to ensure that Brown receives a fair trial.

Tanesha Mundle