In a landmark ruling, a High Court judge has ordered the State to pay over $4 million to the families of five young men who were shot and killed by police in Laventille nearly eight years ago. The tragic incident occurred on October 25, 2018, when victims Mechack Douglas, Shakeem Francois, Shaundell St Clair, Nicholas Barker, and Kudiem Phillip were gunned down near their homes.
Justice Marcia Ayers-Caesar delivered a scathing critique of the police’s actions and the subsequent investigation, declaring the killings unlawful and executed in ‘bad faith.’ The judge rejected the police’s narrative that the victims had engaged in a shoot-out, highlighting significant inconsistencies in their account and a lack of corroborating evidence.
Autopsy results indicated that at least two of the victims had been shot at close range, directly undermining claims of a gun battle. Additionally, Justice Ayers-Caesar expressed skepticism about the firearms recovered by police, noting they showed no signs of use.
The judge condemned the investigation’s inadequacies, suggesting a potential cover-up of the actual events. As a result, she held the officers accountable for assault and battery, along with misfeasance in public office.
The lawsuit, led by Senior Counsel Lee Merry, has culminated in a significant financial award that serves as a reflection of the court’s condemnation of the conduct of police officers involved.
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