Mario Deane
March 6, 2025
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — A new juror has been empanelled for the trial of three cops charged in connection with the 2014 beating death of 31-year-old Mario Deane.
This comes after the initial juror, selected on Monday, faced medical issues that prevented her from completing jury duty.
Deane’s trial was set to begin on Tuesday at the Westmoreland Circuit Court. The court had empanelled seven jurors including four females and three males, however, as the long-awaited trial was about to get underway, a juror was noticeably absent.
READ: Trial for cops in Mario Deane’s death stalled again due to absent juror
On Thursday, in outlining the reason behind the juror’s absence, Justice Courtney Daye shared that he had in his possession a medical certificate which stated that the juror had to seek medical attention while on her way to court last Tuesday.
The medical certificate indicated that based on her condition, she will not be available for jury duty over the next 30 days.
A male was then selected from eight people who showed up for jury duty.
When asked by Justice Daye, the new juror said he would be available and has no medical condition that would impact his availability.
The crown is currently outlining the facts of the case to the jury.
— Anthony Lewis