Man blames cops for dragging out case

A Corporate Area man, who has been in custody for the past two years, has criticised members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for a lack of urgency in having his matter heard in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

The accused, Cavel Bernard, told Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque he is convinced that the police are wasting the court's time and denying him an opportunity to clear his name.

Bernard is charged jointly with Malachi Smith for shopbreaking and larceny.

"I am a father of four kids, three gone a school this morning with just a mother, no father or nothing at all," said Bernard when he appeared before Jude Cole-Montaque on Monday.

He lamented that neither the investigator nor the complainant in the matter have attended court.

"Your Honour, the case just need to deal with better than how it is right now. It need more attention," Bernard said,

The senior parish judge, in seeking to educate him about the process, noted that the matter is currently in the mention court, and when matters are in the mention court, witnesses for the prosecution are not always required to attend, because the file is not complete.

"But I understand your frustration because you are saying you have been here for a little while," Judge Cole-Montaque said.

She then made her intentions clear to discard of the matter if it is not ready for trial at the next court date.

"I am going to set a final mention date," she said, before setting the matter for mention on October 30.

Bernard, who also has a murder matter in the Home Circuit Court, was remanded in custody until October 30. Smith had his bail extended until then.