Shemar Weekes case takes another turn

INCONSISTENCIES, discrepancies and too many variances.

 

That’s how Coroner Manila Renee described elements of the Shemar Weekes case after painstakingly going through close to three hours of statements presented during the inquest into the death of the 12-year-old boy, who died of unnatural causes on May 14, 2015 in his Checker Hall, St. Lucy home.

 

The Coroner explained that in light of the inconsistencies, the matter would be sent back to the Commissioner of Police this week, with all the information gathered during the inquest.

 

She said it would not be the first time that a matter would be referred to the Commissioner of Police and therefore stressed that the matter should not be sensationalised.

 

According to the Coroner, “The nature and extent of the inconsistencies in the accounts of the principal characters in this matter, in relation to the presence of a number of discrepancies in the evidence of [Shawn] Greaves, taking into account the overall evidence, operates to raise several serious issues affecting the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court.”

 

She noted that the Coroner’s Court is not accusatorial in nature, and the matter is not a criminal trial.

 

She said the Court conducts any queries into the circumstances surrounding a death, and there is no jurisdiction to try or fine anyone who has committed any offence.

 

“This is not the first time I have done this... sent back cases to the Commissioner of Police. This is not any isolated case. I have returned many cases to the Commissioner of Police. Circumstances where there is abundant evidence to safely satisfy the requirement of a prima facie case relative to the institute of criminal proceedings.

 

“A man driving recklessly and passes out three, four cars and kills somebody, can’t send it here! For me to rule accident? That is not a Coroner’s case. Elsewhere. Anytime I see a prima facie case, I am standing back. Not Coroner’s Court! I don’t have any jurisdiction, not ruling it accident,” she exhorted.

 

The Coroner told the small gathering that great care must be taken in those cases, so as not to encroach on the jurisdiction of the Criminal Court.

 

“There is a reason why you have a Coroner’s Court and why you have a Criminal Court. I think it would be setting a bad precedent for persons...,” she said.

 

“My understanding of Criminal Law is that once there is sufficient evidence to satisfy the requirement for prima facie case, the matter should not attract the attention of the Coroner’s proceedings.”

 

It is against this backdrop that Coroner Renee said she will adjourn the matter, which was directed to the Coroner’s Court by Police on the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions, but did not rule out the matter coming before her court once again. (JH)