Attorneys criticised lead investigator’s handling in case of police-involved shooting of three men

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE lead investigator in a deadly 2020 police-involved shooting near Cowpen Road came under heavy criticism yesterday, with attorneys for both the victims’ families and the accused officers attacking his handling of the case.

Detective Sergeant 2672 Desmond Rolle testified before Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux as the inquest into the deaths of Deshoan “Spider” Smith, 25, Rashad Clarke, 28, and Jared Ford, 27, got underway. The three were shot and killed near Spikenard and Cowpen Roads on June 13, 2020.

The matter was delayed until 2pm after attorney K Melvin Munroe, representing the three officers involved, requested more time to review the case file. Inspector Alcott Forbes, Corporal Kevin Greenslade Jr, and Police Constable Courtney Hall were all present in court.

A five-member jury is tasked with determining what occurred during the fatal encounter. Police previously said the incident began when officers on mobile patrol saw a white Honda Accord parked at the eastern section of Spikenard Cemetery. When approached, the vehicle allegedly fled, leading to a confrontation on Cowpen Road where officers claimed the men opened fire, prompting them to return fire.

DS Rolle testified that, based on information from dispatch, he located a damaged white Honda Accord believed to have been involved in the shooting. He noted bullet holes in the windshield and left side of the car, and said the windows were mostly rolled up when he arrived. Blood was visible on the bodies of all three men, particularly around the upper torso.

He said he instructed officers to collect spent .223 and 9mm casings around the vehicle. A black pistol was recovered between the legs of one of the deceased, seated in the rear left passenger seat. That man was described as wearing a long blue hoodie and jeans. The car was later towed to the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), and morticians removed the bodies.

DS Rolle said he spoke briefly with Inspector Forbes at the scene, who told him the officers had approached the vehicle because it raised suspicion. Later at CID, DS Rolle collected the weapons of the three officers for testing: Forbes’ 9mm Sig Sauer with 11 rounds, Greenslade’s rifle with two magazines containing 32 .223 rounds, and Hall’s rifle with two magazines containing 33 rounds. DS Rolle also confirmed that the pistol found in the Honda was unregistered in The Bahamas.

He admitted the initial call from the control centre lacked critical details, including how many officers were involved or how many suspects had been shot. He could not recall the number of officers on the scene when he arrived and said EMS had already left. He did not speak with EMS personnel, nor did he interview the victims’ families, claiming a meeting would have taken place later.

Under questioning, DS Rolle said the vehicle’s licence plate and driver’s licence did not match, but could not recall whether the Stolen Vehicle Unit returned a report on it.

Evidence marshal Angelo Whitfield asked about a report indicating that Hall also had a 9mm service weapon on the day of the incident. DS Rolle said he did not collect that weapon because there was no indication it had been fired and all rounds were accounted for.

When questioned by Maria Daxon, attorney for the victims’ estates, DS Rolle said he could not confirm how many times the vehicle was shot or whether bullets came from inside or outside. Ms Daxon accused him of being untruthful, prompting an objection from Mr Munroe and a reminder from the coroner that attorneys were being given the courtesy to question witnesses in place of the evidence marshal.

Ms Daxon also questioned why no fingerprints were taken from the deceased. DS Rolle said he was told by an officer, L Smith, that blood on their hands prevented fingerprinting. Ms Daxon suggested someone else could have placed the gun in the vehicle. DS Rolle admitted multiple officers were on the scene but said he could not speak to what occurred before he arrived.

He also said one of the deceased had been under police monitoring in connection with a prior shooting, but could not elaborate.

Ms Daxon told him his investigation was “sloppy,” citing his failure to interview all three officers at the scene. DS Rolle responded: “Nothing about me is sloppy,” and said he was offended by the suggestion. He insisted that he later interviewed the officers at CID.

Mr Munroe criticised DS Rolle’s vague and repetitive responses, arguing they were a disservice to the victims, the officers, and the court. He said DS Rolle should have conducted a more balanced and thorough investigation. DS Rolle responded that he compiled a report but did not ask officers whether they had opened the doors of the victims’ car.

Coroner Deveaux questioned whether DS Rolle had been in a rush, asking why he only interviewed one officer on site. DS Rolle replied that he intended to speak with them all later. He could not confirm if there was another investigator assigned to the case and again said he was satisfied that Hall’s second weapon had not been fired, despite no forensic testing.

Family members of the deceased were in court for yesterday’s proceedings.

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