ST JAMES, Jamaica – The Mario Deane trial will move to Westmoreland as the three police personnel charged in connection with the 2014 beating death of the 31-year-old have been given a February 17 mention date in that parish’s Circuit Court.

The date was set Friday by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Bertram Morrison in the St James Circuit Court following a transfer hearing.

The court had the options of two locations on the table at the end of court on Thursday – Westmoreland and St Elizabeth.

However, when the matter resumed at approximately 11:00 am, the crown told the court that while St Elizabeth had a poor jury turnout, Westmoreland had a better turnout.

As a result, Justice Morrison set February 17 mention date for Westmoreland which will see its circuit period running from February 17 to March 14.
Justice Morrison also instructed that communication be made with the registrar for Westmoreland to ensure that summons are served for appropriate service.

The three on trial are Corporal Elaine Stewart and constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant who are all charged with manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, and misconduct in a public office by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

Allegations are that Deane was arrested for the possession of a ganja spliff and placed in custody where he was reportedly brutally beaten on August 3, 2014. Deane received severe injuries to his brain which left him in a coma. He died three days later in the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James.

It is alleged that the three cops had been on duty at the police station at the time when Deane was beaten. It is further alleged that Corporal Stewart gave instructions for the cell in which the attack took place to be cleaned before the arrival of investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations.

In May 2014, St James Parish Judge Sandria Wong Small ruled that the three cops should stand trial. At the time Stewart was 50, Clevon 32, and Grant 27 years old.