WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Following more than 10 years of waiting, the trial of three cops charged in connection with the 2014 beating death of 31-year-old Mario Deane is set to begin on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s date was set after seven jurors were empanelled when the matter was called up in the Westmoreland Circuit Court on Monday.

The empanelling of the jury follows several delays, including insufficient jurors. The lack of jurors had resulted in the case being transferred from the St James Circuit Court last year.

Following the empanelling of the jury, consisting of four females and three males, Supreme Court Justice Courtney Daye let known his pleasure over the large turnout of jurors in waiting, a total of 56.

“A credit to the jury system as all served answered the summons,” stated justice Daye, who added, “I am happy that I did not have to fine anyone.”

Justice Daye later set Tuesday’s date for the start of the trial as he noted that he had another case to deal with Monday afternoon.

The three cops on trial are Corporal Elaine Stewart, and constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant. They are all charged with manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, and misconduct in a public office.

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

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

— Anthony Lewis