wo members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who were serving 25 years in prison for the controversial shooting death of a man in Alligator Pond, Manchester, seven years ago, were freed on Friday by the Appeal Court.
The Court quashed the conviction and sentence of Detectives Leonard Lindsay and Tyrone Findley.
The policemen were convicted in the Manchester Circuit Court in 2014 for the January 1, 2010 murder of 27 year old mason Anthony Richards, at the Alligator Pond Beach in Manchester.
Another man, Roshaine Dixon, was shot and injured in the incident.
The New Year’s Day shooting led to a mass protest in the South Manchester fishing village during which residents damaged the Alligator Pond Police Station and other properties.
In throwing out the case, the Appeal Court ruled that the trial judge failed to give the proper direction to the jury.
The Court also agreed with the cops that they were acting in self-defence after a gun was seized in the incident.
The policemen testified that they were sent to the beach by their superiors to investigate reports that two men were robbing patrons on the beach at Alligator Pond.
The policemen said they opened fire after being challenged by Mr. Richards and Mr. Dixon, one armed with a gun and the other a knife.
The cops said they seized a gun after the shooting.
Mr. Dixon, who was shot twice, testified at the trial that he survived by pretending to be dead.
He testified that a knife was planted on him.
The policemen, who converted to the Muslim faith while in prison, praised “Allah” for the victory after the ruling.
So I guess kartel will be freed pretty soon. Smh
Only in Jamaica.
The Justice System is a joke in Jamaica. How and why did this happen? The ting set a way, smh dem might as well free Kartel. KMT