WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The case against the three cops on trial for the beating death of Mario Deane in 2014 was adjourned prematurely on Tuesday due to the crown’s witness being ill.

The case started in the Westmoreland Circuit Court minutes after 11:00 am.

The crown’s second witness, Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevin Francis, who showed signs of illness from the start with his low tone of voice when responding to questions, occasionally sipped from a bottle of water, until an enquiry was made about his well-being and whether he was on medication.

“Yes, I am [on medication]…,” stated Francis in response to queries from a prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

DSP Francis said he would try to continue with his presentation when asked by Supreme Court Justice Courtney Daye if this would affect his presentation.

“The only problem that we are having now is hearing you,” stated Justice Daye, who noted that the microphone was working.

Justice Daye gave a five-minute break, during which face masks were handed out by the clerk of court to those who wanted them.

The case returned, and DSP Francis continued with his testimony for approximately 45 minutes before another break was given.

However, upon returning from the break, the court was told that DSP Francis was experiencing discomfort.

This resulted in Justice Daye adjourning the case shortly after 12:30 pm.

“It seems that we need to take an adjournment for the day, as the officer is suffering some discomfort,” stated Justice Daye before adjourning the case for Wednesday at 10:00 am.

This is the second day that the illness of the senior cop has impacted the case.

On Monday, the case was adjourned early after it was revealed by the Crown that its witness was under the weather and had to seek medical attention.

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 (Indecom).

— Anthony Lewis