Cop charged with ‘Buju’ killing in Granville granted $1 million bail
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Police Constable Andrew Wilson, who is charged with the May 17 murder of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin in Granville, St James, has been granted bail in the sum of $1 million.
According to his attorney, Michael Hemmings, Wilson appeared in court on Tuesday and was granted bail after a renewed application. He is scheduled to return to court on July 10.
A previous bail application was denied during Wilson’s first court appearance last week due to concerns that he could interfere with witnesses and was considered a potential flight risk.
Hemmings told Observer Online that the circumstances had changed since the initial hearing. He explained that a statement from a civilian witness, which had previously been outstanding, had since been submitted and included in the case file. Based on that, concerns about possible interference with witnesses were no longer apparent.
As part of the bail conditions, Wilson has been ordered to surrender his travel documents, and a stop order has been put in place.
Earlier this month, the director of public prosecutions (DPP) ruled that Wilson should be charged with murder following an investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom).
READ: Cop involved in fatal shooting of Latoya Bulgin charged with murder
The 45-year-old woman was reportedly transporting residents to a protest over the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Tjey Edwards, which had occurred in the community days earlier, when she became involved in a confrontation with police.
Surveillance footage that circulated widely after the incident showed Bulgin seated in the driver’s seat of a Toyota Voxy after the vehicle was stopped by police in Granville Square. The footage appeared to show an officer firing in her direction while she remained inside the vehicle.
Following the shooting, Wilson was interdicted by the Police High Command pending the outcome of investigations. In an initial report, the police alleged that Bulgin had threatened to run over the officer who discharged the firearm.
The CCTV footage also captured events after the shooting, showing Bulgin being removed from the vehicle feet first and placed on the ground. A second officer later assisted in lifting her by her arms and legs before she was placed in the rear of a police pickup truck. The officers were then seen struggling to secure the vehicle’s tailgate.
The incident sparked unrest in the community. On the following day, residents mounted roadblocks using discarded appliances, tree branches and other debris at several intersections, while fires were lit in some sections of the area in protest.
Peter Champagnie is also part of Wilson’s defence team but was absent from court due to a part-heard matter before the Supreme Court.