Three Police Officers Guilty in Mario Deane's 2014 Death
Three police officers were found guilty on May 22, 2025, for their role in the death of Mario Deane in 2014. The verdict sparked outrage and empathy among Jamaicans, with many questioning the justice system.
Mario Deane, aged 31, died in hospital on August 6, 2014, after being severely beaten by fellow inmates in a Montego Bay police lock-up three days earlier. His mother, Mercia Frazer, has since expressed disappointment with the sentences handed down to the officers involved.
The officers, Police Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, stood trial in 2025 for their role in Deane's beating. They were found guilty of manslaughter, misconduct in public office, and perverting the course of justice. Sentences were handed down on July 1, 2025. Corporal Stewart received five years but was released on bail pending appeal. The other two officers received suspended sentences and will not serve time behind bars.
The case has highlighted issues of police-community relations, overcrowding, and inhumane conditions in police station lock-ups. It has also raised concerns about the value of life and accountability in the justice system. The human rights lobby group Stand Up for Jamaica has noted that the outcome sends a dangerous message about these issues. Meanwhile, many Jamaicans have expressed empathy for Frazer, while others have criticized the verdict as a 'travesty of justice'.
The guilty verdict and subsequent sentences have sparked debate and criticism of the Jamaican justice system. Mario Deane's mother, Mercia Frazer, intends to sue the state. The case has also drawn attention to the need for reform in police-community relations and the conditions in police lock-ups.
