Mario Deane Death: Officers Found Guilty of Manslaughter. On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Westmoreland Circuit Court reached a verdict. It found three police officers guilty on all charges. These charges were related to the death of Mario Deane in 2014.
Corporal Elaine Stewart and constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant were convicted of manslaughter. They were also convicted of misconduct in public office. This verdict came after the jury deliberated for two hours. Additionally, Stewart was found guilty of actions intended to pervert the course of justice.
These charges stem from the death of 31-year-old Mario Deane. He died on August 6, 2014. This was three days after being beaten while in custody at the Barnett Street Police Station lock-up in St. James for possession of a marijuana spliff. The three officers were on duty in the lock-up at the time of the incident.
Stewart was accused of ordering the cleaning of the cell where Mario Deane was assaulted. This happened before investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations arrived at the scene.
Presiding High Court Justice Courtney Daye has scheduled sentencing for the three defendants on July 1. She has also extended their bail until that date. As part of their bail conditions, the officers must port to the Area One Police Division headquarters in St. James twice a week.
A suspect was fatally shot and a police officer injured during a confrontation
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, police fatally shot a suspect during a confrontation in Ebonyvale, Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Authorities reported that a Corporal sustained gunshot injuries in the incident.
Officers rushed the injured corporal to the hospital. They also transported the suspect. Authorities pronounced the suspect dead. The corporal was admitted in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
The police identified the deceased as Damion Martin, a resident of the Ebonyvale community.
According to reports, a joint police team acted on intelligence. They went to a premises on Lignum Drive. There, they came under gunfire. During the exchange, both Martin and the police corporal were shot.
The police reported that they recovered a firearm at the scene. They have taken a man into custody for questioning.