'We acted professionally' - Acquitted Clarendon policemen say they were carrying out their duties

The three Clarendon cops who were yesterday freed of a murder charge have asserted that they acted professionally when they carried out an operation in the Corn Piece District in Hayes, Clarendon, on September 5, 2011. During the operation, 23-year-old Andrew Bisson was killed.

Detective Corporal Kevin Adams, District Constable Howard Brown, and Constable Carl Bucknor were acquitted of Bisson's murder after the prosecution told the court that it could not proceed with the case as the remaining material would not meet the prosecutorial threshold.

Brown, who spoke to The Gleaner after the seven-member jury delivered the directed not-guilty verdict, was pleased with the court's decision.

"I am grateful for the services of the court, and I am happy with the outcome," Brown said, arguing that he was optimistic that the evidence presented would prove that the police team had acted professionally.

His colleague, Carl Bucknor, who was overheard on the phone sharing the favourable news with others just before speaking to our news team, had similar sentiments.

"Well, the law took its course, and I believe that the law ... is upheld in this matter," said Bucknor.

Defence attorneys were vocal after the verdict, with all contending that the matter should not have been tried in the first place.

"It is a result that I had expected. I had hoped that this matter would have terminated before the prosecution would have taken the position that they ultimately took from before, and, therefore, saving some time of the court and sparing the men the unnecessary agony of having this charge hanging over their heads like the sword of Damocles," said Queen's Counsel K. Churchill Neita, who represented Bucknor.

Kevin Adams, who is awaiting trial in three other matters, was remanded until his bail application is heard on January 16. He is represented by Queen's Counsel Valerie Neita-Robertson.