Judge Declines Quashing Police Shooting Verdict

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Supreme Court judge has declined to quash a homicide by manslaughter verdict in the police-involved shooting of Azario Major.

Keevon Maynard, the lawyer for Sergeant Antoine Sweeting, Inspector Raymond Saunders, Sergeant Jamal Johnson and Corporal Deangelo Rolle, filed a constitutional challenge following the May 25, 2023 verdict.

Maynard argued that the finding by the jury was unfairly prejudiced by pretrial publicity.

In dismissing the application, Justice Franklyn Williams KC noted that an inquest is not a trial.

He also pointed out that none of the officers have been charged based on the jury’s verdict.

Major was shot by police officers outside a bar on Fire Trail Road on December 26, 2021 after he allegedly pointed a gun at them.

The matter was sent to the Coroner’s Court and a five-member jury returned a homicide ruling.

However, a coroner’s jury does not decide criminal or civil liability.