KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – A High Court judge has sentenced a police constable to life imprisonment following his conviction in the so-called police “death squad” trial.
Justice Viviene Harris ordered 42-year-old Collis “Chucky” Brown must serve 51 years in jail before becoming eligible for parole.
Brown was convicted in November last year of three counts of murder, conspiracy to murder and wounding with intent.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Damoy ‘Gutty’ Dawkins and must serve 20 years before being considered for parole. In addition, he was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to commit murder as well as 15 years for wounding with intent. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Brown was also sentenced to 31 years in prison for the murder of Dwayne Douglas and 31-years also for the murder of Andrew Fearon. The sentences are to run concurrently, which means Brown will serve a total of 31 years for both murders.
“Sacrificial lamb”
During the sentencing hearing on Friday in the Home Circuit Court, attorney Norman Godfrey, urged the judge to be lenient adding that his client was a “sacrificial lamb”.
But Justice Harris said police officers cannot take the law into their hands by being, judge, jury and executioner despite the high crime rate.
“Contrived police fatal shootings”
She said, instead of upholding the law, Constable Brown embarked on a process to kill persons accused of being criminals and that the convicted man was part of what she called “contrived police fatal shootings”.
The judge said that firearms were planted at the scenes and statements prepared to cover up and deceive the public. Justice Harris said the policeman’s actions have brought the Jamaica Constabulary Force and law enforcement into disrepute.
Death squad
The court heard that between 2009 and 2012, Brown was a member of a “death squad” linked to the fatal shooting of Dawkins, Douglas and Fearon.
The prosecution had relied heavily on interviews Brown gave to investigators of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) about his involvement in the death squad.
The court heard a recording of the interview Brown did with INDECOM in which he said that a senior police officer had supplied him and other members of the squad with resources to carry out extrajudicial killings.
