By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A CRIME scene investigator testified yesterday that gunshots were fired from inside the car where three men were killed by police in 2020.

Superintendent Antonio Levarity gave evidence during the inquest into the deaths of Deshoan “Spider” Smith, 25, Rashad Clarke, 28, and Jared Ford, 27, who were shot and killed near Spikenard and Cowpen Roads on June 13, 2020.

Inspector Alcott Forbes, Corporal Kevin Greenslade Jr, and Police Constable Courtney Hall — the officers involved in the incident — were present in court. A five-member jury is tasked with determining what happened.

Police previously said the men were in a white Honda Accord parked near Spikenard Cemetery. When officers approached, the vehicle allegedly fled and the men reportedly opened fire, prompting officers to shoot back.

Superintendent Levarity said he was called to the scene around 12.50pm and found the bodies of the deceased in the vehicle, along with a gun.

He said he later interviewed two anonymous witnesses who reported hearing two distinct types of gunfire. He also observed bullet damage to the vehicle.

Supt Levarity said the gun retrieved from the car showed no visible damage, but he couldn’t determine its functionality from photographs alone. He could not recall whether the car doors were open when he arrived, but confirmed the area was secured.

He acknowledged knowing the nicknames “Spider” and “Dog Bite” for two of the victims.

Under cross-examination by attorney Maria Daxon, representing the deceased men’s families, Supt Levarity confirmed that Sergeant Desmond Rolle was the lead investigator. When asked why he wasn’t in charge despite outranking others at the scene, he said sergeants often lead police shooting investigations.

He said he could not recall whether former Commissioner Paul Rolle or then-Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles visited the scene.

Attorney K Melvin Munroe, representing the officers, asked the coroner to caution Ms Daxon against calling the area a “murder scene,” noting that the proceedings were an inquest and not a criminal trial. The coroner issued the caution.

Ms Daxon claimed three officers had referred to Supt Levarity as the investigator, but he insisted he only assisted and was not in a supervisory role. He could not identify who the supervising officer was.

Supt Levarity also said he could not speak to the officers’ positioning during the shooting.

He testified that two gunshot holes in the windshield appeared to have been fired from inside the vehicle.

When asked by the coroner why he did not write a report about his involvement, Supt Levarity said he saw no reason to do so.

He acknowledged a document suggesting there may have been more than one investigator and that he was listed as one of them.

He told evidence marshal Angelo Whitfield that his involvement was minimal and did not make him the investigator.

Mr Munroe later clarified that while Supt Levarity was part of CSI and may be viewed as an investigator, Sergeant Rolle was the official lead.

Sergeant Rolle’s earlier testimony was scrutinised by attorneys representing both the families and the officers.

Also testifying yesterday was Corporal 3188 Jarvis Rolle, who said he escorted the bodies to the morgue.