‘Chucky’ Brown Trial Recap | Defence to present case today

The defence will today mount its case for murder accused Constable Collis 'Chucky' Brown, after an unsuccessful no case submission on Friday.

Brown was seeking to have two of the five counts in the indictment struck down.

Last Monday, the jury began hearing testimony from the Crown's final witness as the trial continued at the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

The witness, who admitted to being a police informant between 2009 and 2012, told the court on Monday that he entered into an agreement with the Clarendon Police Division to help them recover illegal firearms.

"Arrangement was as follows ... . At the time, there was an upsurge in violence in and around the community of Rocky Point. I was asked by the (senior police officer) what was happening in the community, and if I could assist in getting these guns, I would be paid cash," the witness told the court.

He said he was promised $25,000 for each recovered handgun and $50,000 for rifles.

The witness also suggested that he was pressured by Brown to give him information about the whereabouts of Dwayne Douglas, who was later killed.

According to the witness, Brown asked him on several occasions to "give up" Douglas because "him diss one of his boss and two of his dons".

On Tuesday, the same witness revealed that one of the dons Brown mentioned was a prominent Manchester contractor.

 

KIDNAPPED DON'S DAUGHTER

 

The former police informant also told the court that he was aware of Douglas' involvement in the kidnapping of a young female in Manchester.

According to the witness, this young lady was the daughter of one of the dons Brown mentioned.

While he was incarcerated at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in 2016, the witness said he came into contact with Brown, who was remanded and awaiting trial.

He told the court that on a number of occasions, Brown told him if anyone approached him, he should not say anything about their interactions.

The witness said he made inquiries into the case related to Douglas.

"I asked him wah gwaan with the Dwayne Douglas case with him," the witness testified.

He said Brown responded, "Nothing nuh inna dat case. That saaf. Mi a go buss dat."

On Wednesday afternoon, attorney Norman Godfrey began his cross-examination when it was revealed that the witness was oblivious of a clause in his plea-bargain agreement.

Godfrey asked the witness, "Is it a part of the plea deal that if you don't give the evidence expected of you, you could be recalled for sentencing?"

"No, sir, I don't know what you are talking about," the witness responded.

He was then handed a copy of the plea-bargain agreement that he was said to have made with the director of public prosecutions on October 23, 2018, and asked to read a section of the document.

The question was then again posed to the witness by Godfrey.

The witness responded, "I did not read that. That was not said to me. That's the justice system's work."

It was also revealed that the witness was convicted on at least eight occasions for charges ranging from simple larceny to illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

His most recent conviction is for misprision of felony, for which he entered into the plea-bargain agreement.

Godfrey asked, "Would you readily agree with me that you are a career criminal?"

"No, sir ... everyone can be rehabilitated," the witness said.

"Save that for later. Can see that you are a good student, too," Godfrey retorted.

Godfrey also suggested that the witness entered into the arrangement with the police division for monetary gain, but the witness maintained that he did it because of the high crime rate in the parish.

 

DID IT FOR SAFETY OF MY LIFE

 

As cross-examination continued into Thursday, interactions between Godfrey and the witness became combative at times, warranting the intervention of presiding judge, Justice Vivene Harris.

The witness is said to have signed a document given to him by an unnamed police officer, while he was incarcerated, for the promise of $150,000.

He told the court, "Of course, my signature is on it. I was compelled to do it for the safety of my life."

But Godfrey asked the witness, "In your statement to INDECOM (Independent Commission of Investigations), why did you not say it was for the preservation of your life?"

During a verbal clash, the witness said to Godfrey, "You're being a little bit ignorant."

"You're being rude," Godfrey responded, as Justice Harris advised the witness not to engage the attorney in that way.

The witness then answered, "Because it was a police officer involved, sir."

After a brief re-examination, the prosecution closed its case.

Brown is being tried for the 2009 murder of Robert 'Gutty' Dawkins and the 2012 murders of Douglas and Andrew Fearon. Both incidents happened in Clarendon.

He is also facing one count of wounding with intent and another of conspiracy to commit murder.

nickoy.wilson@gleanerjm.com