Three Men Freed After 10 Years on Remand for Corporal's Murder

Three men held for over a decade without trial in the 2016 killing of Police Corporal Judith Williams were freed Monday after the DPP entered a nolle prosequi.

DPP drops decade-old murder case; three men walk free from Home Circuit Court

Three men — including a serving police constable — walked free from the Home Circuit Court on Monday morning after spending more than ten years on remand in connection with the 2016 murder of Police Corporal Judith Williams, jamaica-gleaner.com reports.

Police Constable Gladstone Williams, Rohan Smith, and Jessie 'Pops' Anderson had been held on charges of murder, conspiracy to murder, solicitation to murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and shooting with intent. The charges stemmed from the killing of Corporal Williams, who was shot six times at a bus stop on Braes Street in Dunkirk, east Kingston, on April 28, 2016.

When the matter was called on Monday, the prosecutor informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had entered a nolle prosequi, formally discontinuing the case. The DPP indicated the matter could be revived if witnesses come forward.

At a July hearing, King's Counsel Peter Champagnie, who represented Constable Williams, had sharply criticised the length of the delay. "My client has been in custody now for this matter and this matter alone for 10 years and two months awaiting trial," Champagnie told the court. "For any person to be in custody now, 10 years and two months awaiting trial, is simply unacceptable on any scale, not blaming the court."

Defence lawyers had repeatedly raised concerns over delays attributed to a shortage of courtrooms, difficulties empanelling a jury, and an incomplete indictment.

Corporal Williams was reportedly gunned down by two men. The alleged mastermind is accused of orchestrating her killing after she brought him to court over a car she had given him to repair, which he subsequently sold without her authorisation.

Attorney-at-law CJ Mitchell appeared for Smith, while Leroy Equiano represented Anderson.

Source: Google News JM — Crime