Bailed cop claims self-defence in shooting

A police constable who reportedly shot a civilian after he disobeyed his order to stop last February was on Thursday offered $500,000 bail when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Thirty-two-year-old Kemar Hutchinson, who was assigned to the Central Police Station, was recently charged with shooting with intent following a ruling from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

According to allegations, on February 28, at 4 a.m., Hutchinson was among a team of police on patrol on Love Lane in downtown Kingston when the complainant was spotted walking and was ordered to stop.

The complainant reportedly continued walking and was shot by the accused without any lawful reason.

The injured man was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he was treated and released.

However, when Hutchinson appeared in court on Thursday, his attorney-at-law, Peter Champagnie, QC, disclosed during a bail application that his client had fired in self-defence.

Champagnie further told the court that an illegal firearm was found and that the complainant was charged in relation to the weapon and is currently in custody.

Hutchinson was subsequently offered bail on condition that he report once per week to the police station nearest to his home and surrender his travel documents, with a stop order in place.

Hutchinson is to return to court on September 14.