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Police Prosecutor Could Be Investigated For Botching Case
posted (January 17, 2018)
Last night, we told you about the San Pedro murder of Alfredo Cowo, a high-profile complainant against police. No one knows for sure why he was killed, but his family feels - without any actual evidence - that it may be connected to his previous shooting.

You'll remember it as that lawless police incident which happened in April of last year. Police charged two of their own, Constables Darnell Madrill and Norman Coye with wounding because several civilians - including Alfredo Cowo - were injured when they fired their service weapons indiscriminately to try to disperse an angry crowd.

So, with video footage to assist them, you'd think that police would have a strong case against PC Madrill and Coye, but not so. The family told us that the case was dismissed last week on what should have been the first day of trial before the sitting magistrate. That's because the prosecutor, who was supposed to have shown up and led the evidence against the accused officers, didn't appear. The Cowo family felt that they did not get justice for that incident.

Tonight, police are committing to investigate what caused such a critical failure. Assistant Police Commissioner Chester Williams, the Commander of the Professional Standards Branch, said via text message, quote, "If the prosecutor was aware of the court date and failed to appear without any reasonable cause then...he can be dealt with disciplinarily. That matter you are talking about will be looked into by my office to ascertain the reason behind its dismissal," end quote.

The Police Legal Advisor, Senior Superintendent Bart Jones added, quote, "In any case where a police officer absents himself from any duty without a lawful excuse, it's an offence against discipline." End quote.

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