Ex-Police, Dancehall Producer Miller 9 and Other Jamaican Facing Death Penalty in the USA
Ex Jamaican Policeman and Dancehall Music Producer Omar Miller, more popularly known as Miller 9, is facing a possible death penalty in the United States for the murder of Raymond Alcala (20), alongside fellow Jamaican 38-year-old Andre Andrews, and third party 37-year-old Devon Quinland.
Prior to his participation in the murder of Alcala, Miller (45) was also involved in a murder case (while he was still with the Jamaica Constabulary Force [JCF]) in Jamaica back in 2007 but was freed of the charges in 2011. Andrews, who was an athlete while he attended Jamaica College (JC), along with Miller and Quinland, will appear before the court for a pre-trial and arraignment next week Friday.
In accordance with California State law, which says that murder can be subjected to the death penalty, the prosecutors on the case are reported to be seeking such penalties.
Allegations are that Quinland was the driver and planner for the incident and he is currently out on bail after being charged with conspiracy. Andrews and Miller were remanded and have been similarly charged on offences such as murder, burglary, robbery, and firearm-related charges.
After the June pre-trial, the jury trial is set to begin on October 6 at the Orange County Superior Court.
Reports state that video footage of Miller and Andrews showed both men with firearms entering the home of Alcala and that they were arrested two months after the initial murder in the state of Florida. Irvine USA, where the murder took place, was said to have zero records of any killings before the incident.
In 2007, Miller was accused, along with three other officers, of murdering André ‘Kunte’ Thomas (18) in cold blood, but was later acquitted by a 12-member jury. The case saw two of the prosecutor’s witnesses change their statements to say that they had not witnessed the shooting and unsworn dock statements from the lawmen involved claimed they acted in self-defence after the deceased, Thomas, levelled a gun at them.
During his career as a music producer, Miller 9 became popular after producing music for Dancehall sensation Vybz Kartel and the Portmore Empire.
