A leading member of the criminal bar, Bert Samuels, is raising concerns about the police behaviour and investigation into the murder of St. James resident, Mario Deane.
Mr. Samuels says the case is being treated ‘differently’ by the police.
He was reacting to several revelations by the attorney representing Mr. Deane’s family, Miguel Lorne.
Mr. Samuels is raising concern about reports that the two men so far charged with Mr. Deane’s murder were not questioned with their lawyers present. But with Justices of the Peace watching.
The two men charged with Mr. Deane’s murder – Marvin Orr and Adrian Morgan – are said to be mentally-ill. A third man expected to be charged soon is reportedly deaf or mute.
Mr. Samuels is also concerned that an inmate was reportedly told to wash away the blood in the cell where Mario Deane was beaten.
The investigating officer yesterday told the court that when he arrived at the crime scene, he saw a prisoner washing away blood.
Speaking last evening on Nationwide@5, the attorney representing Mr. Deane’s family, Miguel Lorne revealed that he was denied access to the Barnett Street Police lock-up in St James where the 31-year-old construction worker was severely beaten last week.
Mr. Lorne says the lawyer representing one of the men charged with Mr. Deane’s death, was also denied access.
According to him, they were turned back yesterday afternoon, even after a successful application before Resident Magistrate, Carolyn Tie, in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court.
Mr Samuels – who’s a veteran defence lawyer – says this continues to fuel speculation that the police have something to hide.
Mr. Lorne says he and the other attorney, Stacy Ann Young, were turned back by an officer at the Barnett Street Police Station who said the investigating officer had no authority to commit to accommodating them.
Although the lawyers were denied access, Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness was allowed access to the lockup on Monday.
Rashawn Thompson, Nationwide News.
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