‘His face was battered’
Witness says Mario Deane unrecognisable after beating
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — A riveting deposition from a now-deceased witness in the Mario Deane case on Thursday outlined how Deane’s bail application was delayed after he made disparaging remarks about the police.
The statement of the witness, who was a security guard at the time of Deane’s death, was entered into evidence in the Westmoreland Circuit Court during the trial of three cops charged in relation to Deane’s death.
Corporal Elaine Stewart, and constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant are all charged with manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, and misconduct in a public office.
The witness’ deposition, which was read in court by the registrar, also described what Deane looked like after the beating he received while in custody.
The witness said he was at work when he received a call from Deane. He said he got a bail bond paper and a photograph, and had them signed by a justice of the peace.
Upon arrival at the Barnett Street Police Station, he saw three cops in the guard room at the front. He was sent to another room at the back of the station where he saw Corporal Stewart whom he had known for approximately three to four years prior. He gave her Deane’s name, the paper, and the photograph. Stewart reportedly took the items and sent another cop — who the witness did not know — to get Deane.
In the deposition the witness said Deane, who looked normal, came and sat beside him and then one of the cops now on trial made a comment.
“Corporal Stewart said Mario Deane did not even know his address,” relayed the witness.
“Mario Deane turn to her and said, ‘It is in that book’,” the deceased witness’ deposition continued, in reference to the voluminous station guard room book in which reports are noted.
The witness said Deane continued, “That is why I don’t like police, you know.” He used his hand to signal Deane to keep quiet.
The witness said it was at this point that Corporal Stewart returned the items he had earlier handed her for Deane to be bailed.
“She turned to me and said, ‘Come back at 5:00 [pm]. Come back at 5:00 [pm],” relayed the witness in the deposition.
He said he was not given a reason for this turn of events, however Corporal Stewart appeared displeased.
The witness said he left and returned at 3:00 pm, two hours before the stipulated time. At this point, Corporal Stewart told him, “The prisoners dem beat up Mario Deane.”
The man testified that he took a step back in astonishment.
The witness said an inspector later came and spoke with him, after which he left for Freeport Police Station but nothing happened there. He said he was taken back to Barnett Street Police Station, followed by a trip to Cornwall Regional Hospital. There he saw Deane on a bed, but he bore little resemblance to the man he knew.
“He looked different, different. I saw blood coming out of his ears. I saw blood coming out of his nose too. He had a brace around his neck. I saw a stab [wound] on his left shoulder which looked like a pen stab,” stated the witness.
He testified that there were also bruises on Deane’s chest, shoulder and neck.
“I saw his face. His face was totally different when I saw him. His face had bruises; I would call it battered,” stated the witness in the deposition read aloud in court.
The allegations are that Deane was arrested for possession of a ganja spliff and placed in custody, where he was brutally beaten on August 3, 2014. He received severe injuries to his brain, which left him in a coma. He died three days later at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James.
It is alleged that the three cops were on duty at the police station at the time Deane was beaten. It is further alleged that Corporal Stewart instructed that the cell in which the attack took place be cleaned before the arrival of investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations.
Prior to the deceased witness’ deposition being read into evidence on Thursday, the Crown’s second witness — a deputy superintendent of police who became ill and was given five days’ leave by a doctor last week, which interrupted his testimony — completed his testimony. He was cross-examined by defence lawyer Martin Thomas, who represents Stewart and Grant, and attorney Dalton Reid who represents Clevon.
The case will resume on Tuesday, March 25 when a retired pathologist is expected to take the stand. The witness, who is currently outside of Jamaica’s jurisdiction in India, is expected to present his evidence via the Zoom platform.
