'Chucky' Brown Trial: Former high-ranking police officer defends Brown's character

Attorneys for murder-accused Constable Collis 'Chucky' Brown closed their case just before midday today following the testimony of the sole character witness.

The witness, who is a former high-ranking police officer, in his testimony to the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston this morning, said he first came in contact with Brown in 2003 while serving in the Corporate Area. 

Under examination by Althea Freeman, who is one of Brown's attorneys, the witness described him as "a diligent, mannerly and dependable police officer" while he served under his command for one and half years.

The former high-ranking police officer said this was still the case when he came in contact with Brown some 10 years later in 2013.

He said he was surprised to hear about the allegations against the police constable.

Under cross examination led by Queen's Counsel Caroline Hay, the witness was pressed on whether there was any mechanism existing in the JCF that sanctions the deliberate killing of those suspected of a crime.

"In my 42 years in the JCF, in official or unofficial capacities, I know of no authorisation that exists within the JCF which would sanction unlawful killings of any citizen," the witness said emphatically.

He was also asked about the condition under which a police officer would be allowed to use lethal force.

"A police officer is allowed to use lethal force when that police officer perceives...that his life is threatened or is at risk or the life of a citizen in whose defence he would be called to defend," the witness responded.

Brown is on trial for the January 10, 2009 murder of Robert 'Gutty' Dawkins, as well as the December 13, 2012 murders of Dwayne Douglas and Andrew Fearon. Both incidents happened in Clarendon.

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

The prosecution is expected to present closing arguments later this afternoon. 

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