A police corporal will be charged for the manslaughter of Allyson Major. A press release from the Ministry of National Security this afternoon said, quote:
…the preliminary investigation into the shooting incident that caused the death of Alyson Major has concluded. On the directive of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cpl. Kent Martinez is being charged for manslaughter by negligence.
The Ministry thanks the Special Investigation Team for their swift work and reiterates its commitment to ensuring that police officers act appropriately towards the public they are sworn to serve." End quote.
So, 13 days after a fleeing Major was shot on Albert Street at the foot of the swing bridge - the Corporal who was the senior man in the detail - will be charged for killing him. The DPP found that it was not murder - since there was no intent to kill.
And that's pretty much what the Commissioner of Police told us 12 days ago. Here's his interview from July 18th:
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"From the briefing you have received, did these officers act wrongly, incorrectly perhaps, even illegally when they shot a man in hot pursuit on the foot of the Swing Bridge?"
Chester Williams
"The truth is from what I have seen excessive force was used. We cannot run away from that. When we are in pursuit of any vehicle or persons, we must ensure that the force used is proportionate to whatever threat that is being faced. From what I have been briefed there was nothing to indicate Mr. Major poses any threat to the officers who were in pursuit.
"Now I am not saying that it was the intent of the officers to use lethal force, but that was the end results and so we have to ensure that the proper thing is done - investigation and the officers who fired that fatal shot be held accountable. From what we are gathering so far it was the corporal who fired the shots and that will be ascertain as soon as we obtain the result of the ballistic examination tomorrow. But again, the corporal has admitted to firing 2 shots and so we continue to look at that."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"So would you accept that there also has to be critical lapse either of judgement or in training if an officer, an officer of rank then, not a constable, not a recruit would make such a severe error in judgement opening fire on a vehicle that throw way 4 ounce of weed?"
Chester Williams
"It is a sad situation and I know that the officer is hurt himself and his family. They too are going through their own issues right now, but it has occurred and he will have to face the consequence of that action."
It is expected that Martinez will be taken to court tomorrow and his attorney is expected to be Dickie Bradley. We note that bail is routinely offered for manslaughter. Up to this evening, police said that he had not been formally charged.
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