[Sharingbuttons]Two members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who were serving 25 years in prison for the controversial shooting death of a man in Alligator Pond, Manchester, seven years ago, were freed on Friday by the Appeal Court.
Reports are that Court threw out the conviction and sentence of Detectives Leonard Lindsay and Tyrone Findley.
Both men were convicted in the Manchester Circuit Court in 2014 for the January 1, 2010 murder of 27-year-old Mason Anthony Richards, at the Alligator Pond Beach in Manchester.
Another man, Roshaine Dixon, was shot and injured in the incident.
In throwing out the case, the Appeal Court ruled that the trial judge failed to give the proper direction to the jury. The Court also agreed with the cops that they were acting in self-defence after a gun was seized in the incident.
The killing took place on new years day 2010. The policemen testified that they were sent to the beach by their superiors to investigate reports that two men were robbing patrons on the beach at Alligator Pond.
According to the cops they opened fire after being challenged by Mr. Richards and Mr. Dixon, one armed with a gun and the other a knife. The cops said they seized a gun after the shooting.
Mr. Dixon, who was shot twice, testified at the trial that he survived by pretending to be dead and a knife was planted on him.
According to a news report the policemen, who converted to the Muslim faith while in prison, praised “Allah” for the victory after the ruling.
