Cpl in Grand Bazaar shootout may not be charged

UPDATE:

CPL Darnell Melville, may not be charged with murder or misconduct after a gunfight with his colleague Sgt Darryl Honore ended in the latter’s death last Wednesday, according to ASP Richard Smith of the Central Division yesterday.

Newsday spoke with Smith, who said while he was not sure of the approach investigators may take, he could not envision Melville being charged with murder, from the footage of the incident.

“I don’t want to try and predict anything, but based on the footage that was released you can see that the corporal did not fire first, but he acted in self-defence. I don’t want to try and make any prediction on the matter, but I cannot see him being charged.”

He said Melville acted lawfully and did not instigate a confrontation.

However he did reveal that a coroner’s inquest may be requested and from this, a magistrate will make a decision

Newsday also spoke to vice president of the Police Social and Welfare Association, Insp Anand Ramesar, who said he too was unsure if any disciplinary action would be brought against Melville, but an investigation into the matter needed to be completed. He added that an autopsy has not yet been done on Honore’s body and confirmed that there was “police interest” in the autopsy’s results.

“I know that the corporal has been deeply traumatised by not just the shooting, but also the fact that his colleague is now dead. So I should hope that the last thing on the minds of the executive should be to bring charges against the surviving officer.

“We are currently awaiting the autopsy results, which should provide further evidence for investigations.”

Ramesar said no date has been set for Honore’s funeral.

ORIGINAL STORY: 

Police Corporal Darnell Melville, may not be charged for murder or misconduct after a gunfight with fellow officer Sgt Darryl Honore ended in the latter's death last Wednesday, according to ASP Richard Smith of the Central Division this morning.

Newsday spoke with Smith who said that while he was not sure of the approach investigators may take to the matter, he could not envision, Melville being charged for murder, based on the footage of the incident.

He said Melville acted lawfully and did not instigate a confrontation. However he did reveal that a coroner's inquest may be requested and from this, a decision by a Magistrate will be made.

Smith said no official date has been made for Honore's funeral.