THE MARIO DEANE TRIAL: DAY 5
Subofficer identifies two of three cops accused in fatal beating
Published:Thursday | March 13, 2025 | 12:12 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Corporal Orville Williams, who was the subofficer on duty at the lock-up at the Barnett Street Police Station, in Montego Bay, St James, when Mario Deane suffered a fatal beating on August 3, 2014, positively identified two of the three police officers implicated in the incident in the Westmoreland Circuit Court yesterday.
Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, the three police personnel in question, are facing charges of manslaughter and misconduct in a public office. Stewart is charged separately with perverting the course of justice.
“A constable of police brought a male to the Barnett Street cells and handed over that male, along with a prisoner card, and charged him for possession of ganja. I told the constable some instructions, and he started to do what I told him, and I also gave instructions to another officer, District Constable Clevon, to prepare a bail bond for the prisoner,” Williams testified in response to questions from trial prosecutor Shanique Lawrence.
“The prisoner you were referring to at that time, did you ascertain his name?” asked Lawrence.
“Yes, it was Mario Deane,” Williams replied.
The witness also told the court that at the time, he had been on duty from the evening of August 2 until the morning of August 3, at which time Stewart came to relieve him for the change of work shifts.
“The person that was supposed to relieve me as the cell supervisor was Woman Corporal Stewart. I was told to conclude duties and hand over to her ... and Ms Clevon came in for Ms Stewart’s shift,” said Williams.
Additionally, the corporal testified that at the time Deane was brought into custody, he appeared to be upset but was otherwise in good health and that he made a phone call to someone after being told that he would need a surety to bail him.
The court was also told that Deane was told about his need for a surety after he reportedly could not provide the police with an identifying mark for his home address.
Williams’ evidence-in-chief will continue today. It is expected that he will undergo cross-examination by defence attorneys Martyn Thomas and Dalton Reid.
Meanwhile, the prosecution yesterday told presiding High Court Justice Courtney Daye that Deputy Superintendent of Police Kevin Francis, whose evidence-in-chief was expected to continue yesterday, is on sick leave for five days under doctor’s orders.
Francis had testified on Tuesday despite appearing physically sick after being absent from court on Monday due to illness.
As it relates to the perverting the course of justice charge against Stewart, it is alleged that she ordered the cleaning of the cell where Deane was beaten ahead of a scheduled visit by investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations.