MONTEGO BAY, St James — Executive director for Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) Mickel Jackson has said a protest staged on Wednesday to demand that there are no more delays in getting the trial in relation to the death of Mario Deane under way when it is next called up in November could have been larger if not for the fear of repercussions expressed by some who wanted to participate.

Jackson was speaking with the Jamaica Observer at the scene of the protest on Barnett Street, just over 100 metres from the Barnett Street Police Station when she made the allegation.

“You know what is unfortunate, we had people who confirmed they would attend but they indicated that they were fearful of coming out and lending their support because their belief is that when JFJ leaves what will happen to them,” charged Jackson.

“It’s unfortunate that we have people living in fear, where they don’t believe that they can come out publicly, hold a placard, and support the family,” added Jackson who led a group of protesters from Kingston to Montego Bay, where they joined up with Mario Deane’s mother, Mercia Fraser, and several others in demanding that there be no more hold-ups in getting the trial moving for three police officers who have been charged in the matter.

The main demand from the protesters, who chanted and held placards, was that the next court date on November 18 be honoured so that justice can proceed on behalf of Mario Deane and his family.

Jackson insisted that the fear expressed by individuals to come and join a peaceful protest should not be something that is tolerated in this day and age.

“Why are people fearful in speaking? Because of the thought that there is going to be possible repercussions, that is for the State and the police to answer in St James. Why is there fear among people?” questioned Jackson.

But head of the St James police, Superintendent Eron Samuels, said he was unaware of any reason why people should be afraid to join the protest. He said the police were only deployed to the scene to ensure everything went smoothly.

“We certainly do not have any issues with a peaceful protest. As I said, [a permit] was applied for and certain guidelines were given and they are abiding by the guidelines; so we have no issues,” said Samuels.

“We are actually very happy the way how it has been proceeding,” he added.

Samuels said that he and a few team members passed through to ensure that the protest was not causing any traffic issues.

“Our major challenge that we normally have is the congestion in the roads and, as long as they are not impending the traffic, we have no issues. Persons are free to protest in Jamaica and as long as they operate within what we have laid out, we have no problem,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jackson claimed that despite the fear the protest still received good support.

“People are working, so though we would have wanted a bigger crowd, we know we have the support of people online. I mean, it’s new age now, new technology, so we have the social media support, and we are grateful to the media in bringing the message across to those who could not be with us here today,” added Jackson.

August 6 signalled the 10-year anniversary of the death of Deane, who was beaten to a vegetative state while in custody of the police at Barnett Street Police Station. He died in hospital days later.

Three fellow detainees pleaded guilty to the crime, but for various reasons have been released.

Since then Corporal Elaine Stewart along with constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant have been charged in the matter.

They are slated to answer charges of manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice as it relates to Deane’s death when the matter is again called up.

The trial of the three cops has stalled because of several issues. The latest issue was that there were not enough jurors for the trial to start when it was last called up in the St James Circuit Court.

On Wednesday, Fraser lamented the situation that she has had to face over the years as she has sought justice for her son, who had been taken into custody at the time for a small of amount of marijuana.

“Going in court, every time, it just brings back the old feeling of the first day, and I need to get past that by now,” she said.

Holding a banner with her son’s face and other images, she demanded that whatever issues they have to resolve to make the trial happen, they need to do so because she is tired of what she has been through.

“I don’t really see what’s holding it up. They say jurors, but let me tell you something, I went into court the last two times and it was the same thing; they said jurors not present,” she explained.

“They subpoenaed me, the mother, yet they only subpoenaed five jurors. That means they have no intention for the court to go on, and that is why we are here today,” added Frazer as she claimed that what she has faced has dampened her faith in the justice system.

However, Samuels sought to explain that the juror shortage was a serious matter that the justice system is trying to sort out.

“What we are facing, especially in St James, is an issue where it is hard for us to find jurors for all the cases involved, not just this case in particular, and we really have been working with the Court Administration to see how best we can find as many jurors as we can to get most of the cases that are in backlog out, which this case happens to be one of them,” said Samuels.

But Jackson and the JFJ team, they want no excuses this time. They want the matter started.

“It cannot be that after time and time and time again this mother is subjected to court hearings. Court hearings being delayed because the police is not doing their work in ensuring that enough jurors are present so that we can have a jury empanelled,” she remarked.

Former senator, Dennis Meadows, who was a part of the protest, also called for the matter to proceed so that everyone involved can move on with their lives.

“It has been a sense of injustice on both sides of this case. On the family’s side, they need closure and it’s unreasonable to ask any family to endure this kind of torture for over 10 years. On the other side, those so accused have been done an injustice too, because they have a right to a speedy trial and they need to move on — whichever end the pendulum of justice swings,” said Meadows.