Woman accused of harbouring fugitive

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The case of a St James woman, who allegedly harboured an escaped murder accused on her premises, has been adjourned until May 24 as the police statement is still outstanding from the court's file.

Latoya White is charged before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court with harbouring fugitive Damion Anderson.

Resident Magistrate Sandra Wong-Small was told on Thursday that the investigating officer had failed to make certain checks at the Porus Police Station in Manchester in order to complete the outstanding statement.

It was from that lock-up that Anderson reportedly escaped on February 5, where he was being held on a murder charge.

The prosecution requested an additional three weeks for the officer to make checks and complete the statement.

This request did not sit well with White's attorney, Morrel Beckford, who complained that on many occasions, police officers did not fulfil their obligations for court cases even when given sufficient time to do so.

The case was eventually set for mention on May 24, by which time the outstanding statement is to be submitted for the case file.

Allegations are that on February 16, following Anderson's escape from the Porus station, a police operation was carried out in the Albion community in Montego Bay where Anderson was eventually found on White's premisess.