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Rushon Hamilton found guilty of schoolgirl’s murder
Rushon Hamilton found guilty of schoolgirl’s murder
Published: Thursday October 25, 2012 | 3:00 pm Comments 0
Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator
Former police constable Rushon Hamilton has been guilty of the murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl, Jhaneel Goulbourne.
The verdict was handed down in the Home Circuit Court a short while ago by a 12-member jury.
He is to be sentenced on December 17 and the prosecution has indicated that it will be seeking the death penalty.
Hamilton has been on trial since September 27.
During the trial the prosecution has called 11 witnesses while the defence called three.
Several prosecution witnesses testified that while they were in custody with Hamilton, he confessed that in 2008, he shot 14-year-old schoolgirl, Jhaneel Goulbourne, and threw her body at sea.
However, Hamilton denied the allegation in his unsworn statement.
He could not be cross examined because he did not give his statement under oath.
The Crown had alleged that Goulbourne was sexually molested on October 4, 2008, at the Elletson Road Police Station in Kingston.
It said a report was made to the police on October 10, 2008 and the girl subsequently went missing from her home in Harbour View, St. Andrew.
It is alleged that she was standing at her gate when she was taken away.
Hamilton was initially charged with carnal abuse and indecent assault of the teen.
But a murder charge was added after the child disappeared.
Published: Thursday October 25, 2012 | 3:00 pm Comments 0
Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator
Former police constable Rushon Hamilton has been guilty of the murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl, Jhaneel Goulbourne.
The verdict was handed down in the Home Circuit Court a short while ago by a 12-member jury.
He is to be sentenced on December 17 and the prosecution has indicated that it will be seeking the death penalty.
Hamilton has been on trial since September 27.
During the trial the prosecution has called 11 witnesses while the defence called three.
Several prosecution witnesses testified that while they were in custody with Hamilton, he confessed that in 2008, he shot 14-year-old schoolgirl, Jhaneel Goulbourne, and threw her body at sea.
However, Hamilton denied the allegation in his unsworn statement.
He could not be cross examined because he did not give his statement under oath.
The Crown had alleged that Goulbourne was sexually molested on October 4, 2008, at the Elletson Road Police Station in Kingston.
It said a report was made to the police on October 10, 2008 and the girl subsequently went missing from her home in Harbour View, St. Andrew.
It is alleged that she was standing at her gate when she was taken away.
Hamilton was initially charged with carnal abuse and indecent assault of the teen.
But a murder charge was added after the child disappeared.
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