Judge Rules Manslaughter Trial Involving Two Police Officers Will Continue

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A judge has refused to stop a manslaughter trial involving two police officers.

Police Inspector Akeem Wilson and Police Corporal Donald Wright sought an order from Justice Dale Fitzpatrick to stay the prosecution against them for the May 27, 2018 fatal shooting of Deangelo Evans.

The officers were in the area of McCullough Corner investigating an armed robbery when they alleged Evans pointed a gun at them.

Following an inquest into Evans’ death, a coroner’s jury on August 31, 2023 returned a verdict of homicide by manslaughter.

After reviewing the file, DPP Cordell Frazier wrote a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police, saying the officers would not be prosecuted while stating the legal justification for their actions.

But the DPP later reversed her decision and charged the men after getting additional information.

The officers’ lawyer Kelsey Munroe asked the court to dismiss the case as it was an abuse of process.

However, Justice Fitzpatrick ruled Munroe had failed to prove that the officers “detrimentally relied upon the DPP’s representation that no prosecution would be initiated.”

He said there was no evidence that the officers were prejudiced in their ability to fully defend themselves against the charge.