Judge calls for gov't to pay lawyers in 'death squad' cases, stalemate forces another adjournment

Livern Barrett, Senior Gleaner Writer

A High Court judge today insisted that the government must pay the legal fees for the policemen accused of being part of a so-called ‘death squad’.

Justice Glen Brown made the comment after attorneys for the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) suggested that one of the accused cops, Corporal Kevin Adams, consider getting an attorney through the Legal Aid Clinic.

“I am not granting legal aid to a police officer. That would be an insult to the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force],” Brown responded.

“INDECOM is being paid to prosecute…the government must pay counsel to defend the policemen,” he continued.

Corporal Adams is one of several policemen from the Clarendon Police Division who are awaiting trial on charges of murder and wounding with intent.

They were arrested and charged after an investigation by INDECOM in which it was alleged that they were responsible for several killings in the parish that were reported as civilian homicides.

Two of the policemen, Corporal Roan Morrison and Constable Collis ‘Chucky’ Brown, have been acquitted of murder.

However, the other trials have stalled in the Home Circuit Court as the attorneys have insisted that they are paid their fees. The government has refused to pay the $107 million legal fees.

Adams, who has been in custody for four years, was again set to go on trial today, but the stalemate has forced another adjournment.

His attorney, Valerie Neita-Robertson, defended the fees submitted to the government.

In court, she revealed that the fees were based on the rates established for Queen's Counsel as well as senior and junior attorneys.

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