Tashieka Mair, STAR Writer
western bureau
One of the men who was charged in connection with the December 2007 shooting death of Sergeant Alan Lindsay, a 53-year-old sub-officer attached to the Motorised Patrol Unit, in Norwood, St James, was remanded in custody on Thursday, after he was denied bail in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.
Twenty-year-old Jerome McLeod, mason of Glendevon in the parish, is facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession with ammunition. His brother, Damion Vassel, who is said to be the one who shot the policeman was gunned down by police at a house in Moneague, St Ann, earlier this year,
His attorney, Kenneth McLeod had made bail application when the accused was before the court in February. However, bail was not considered as RM Winsome Henry had asked for time to read the file and evaluate the strength of the evidence.
Last Thursday, RM Henry denied bail stating that the evidence against the accused was strong as the witness' description of one of the assailants fit the accused.
Although McLeod was not the person who had fired the fatal bullets, he was placed on the scene as one of the persons armed, and who stood in watch as Vassel killed the officer and robbed him of his firearm, bulletproof vest and other items. RM Henry stated this appeared to be a case of premeditated murder and joint enterprise.
Awaiting a ballistic report
The court is still awaiting a ballistic report, which is, said to be vital to the prosecution's case, as it will prove whether or not the gun recovered from the accused was that of the slain officer.
The matter will be mentioned again on May 1 for the file to be completed.
According to a statement from one crown witnesses, on the Sunday afternoon of December 2, 2007 in the afternoon, a group of armed men including McLeod and his bother, were in a yard in the Dallas, Glendevon area while persons were playing football in the street.
The witness said she was not able to see what happened after the men left the yard but heard when Damion Vassel told the others that Sgt Lindsay was coming.
The witness then, allegedly, heard the zinc gate close followed by a barrage of gunshots.
One other witness stated that she saw Vassel stop the officer, who was driving a marked service vehicle, then open fire at the officer.
The witness alleges that three other armed men came out of a yard and stood in different positions as Vassel removed the bullet- proof vest and the service pistol from the officer.
The men then fled the scene.
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