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The Morris Allen Case
Morris Allen was killed on January 18, 2001, by members of the security forces in an alleged shoot–out, following a car chase between the police and two men. It has been acknowledged by almost all of the police witnesses to date that Morris Allen was not the man firing at them. Furthermore, there is an allegation by an eyewitness to the effect that a Senior Superintendent of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) came on the scene shortly after the shooting had ceased and indicated to a soldier that there was a man around the back of the house suffering from injuries and that he should, “get rid of him.”
Subsequent to this statement being read into evidence, the Court was able to secure the attendance of a retired member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) who gave evidence to the effect that by the time he and the other two soldiers in his party arrived on the scene, the shooting had finished and he did not have any reason to fire his weapon. He said, however, that another private on the scene reported to him that he did fire his weapon there that day. He further stated that an Inquiry was held at the JDF into the death of Morris Allen and arising out of the said Inquiry he was asked to resign from the JDF. He also testified that the other two soldiers involved in the incident also ceased working with the JDF shortly after the Inquiry though he could not confirm whether they were also asked to resign.
As a result of this information, Counsel for the family made an application to the Court that the documents/evidence from the JDF Inquiry ought to be made available to the Court in order that it satisfy its mandate to conduct a full and sufficient Inquiry into the Morris Allen’s death. The Court accepted Counsel’s submissions and requested the Secretary of the Defence Board bring the relevant documents to court. In turn, however, the Defence Board applied for a ruling that the documents relating to the Inquiry are privileged and thus should not form part of the instant Inquest.
The matter continues tomorrow when JFJ Counsel will cross-examine the JDF Chief of Staff in relation to an affidavit filed by him and submissions will be heard by the Coroner for and against the disclosure of the documents requested.
Subsequent to this statement being read into evidence, the Court was able to secure the attendance of a retired member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) who gave evidence to the effect that by the time he and the other two soldiers in his party arrived on the scene, the shooting had finished and he did not have any reason to fire his weapon. He said, however, that another private on the scene reported to him that he did fire his weapon there that day. He further stated that an Inquiry was held at the JDF into the death of Morris Allen and arising out of the said Inquiry he was asked to resign from the JDF. He also testified that the other two soldiers involved in the incident also ceased working with the JDF shortly after the Inquiry though he could not confirm whether they were also asked to resign.
As a result of this information, Counsel for the family made an application to the Court that the documents/evidence from the JDF Inquiry ought to be made available to the Court in order that it satisfy its mandate to conduct a full and sufficient Inquiry into the Morris Allen’s death. The Court accepted Counsel’s submissions and requested the Secretary of the Defence Board bring the relevant documents to court. In turn, however, the Defence Board applied for a ruling that the documents relating to the Inquiry are privileged and thus should not form part of the instant Inquest.
The matter continues tomorrow when JFJ Counsel will cross-examine the JDF Chief of Staff in relation to an affidavit filed by him and submissions will be heard by the Coroner for and against the disclosure of the documents requested.
