Ex-cop among three charged with murder of brothers

A former police officer has found himself amongst three persons charged with last Thursday’s double murder of a police officer and his teenage brother.

Richard ”Karib” Francis, a 32-year-old van driver and former coastguard officer from Layou and Rilland Hill residents Schemel “Jacket” Dunbar, 29, and Kendine Douglas all appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias yesterday at the Serious Offences Court, where three charges were laid against them.

The trio is jointly charged that on May 4, 2017 at Sion Hill Bay, with malice aforethought, they caused the death of police constable Danroy Cozier, 26, of Glenside, Mesopotamia and his brother Nicholas Cozier, 19, of Richmond Hill.

They are also charged that on that same day at Rilland Hill they did agree that a course of conduct would be pursued which, if the agreement was carried out in accordance with their intentions, it would result in PC Cozier’s death.

The charges were laid indictably, so the trio was not required to enter a plea.

However, senior prosecutor Adolphus Delpesche asked the court for a five to six-month adjournment, noting that the investigations would involve obtaining a forensic analysis report, which would be done abroad.

He also stated that investigating officer Detective Inspector Atland Browne indicated that 12 or more witnesses would testify in the matter.

The Chief Magistrate then informed the trio that bail is not an option for them, adding that she trusts that the investigation would be done expeditiously, as they are working with timelines.

Last Thursday, the bodies of PC Cozier and his brother were found riddled with bullets around 1 p.m. at Sion Hill Bay, upping this year’s homicide count to nine.

SEARCHLIGHT understands that later that Thursday, a squad of police officers apprehended Francis in Layou for questioning and the former coastguard officer has been in police custody since then.

Dunbar, who has been on murder charges three consecutive years, later joined him in custody.

In May 2015, Dunbar, 27 at the time, was charged with the murder of Aljay ‘Chris Browne’ Douglas of Campden Park, who died after being shot twice at Campden Park, while performing doorman duties at an event being held on the playing field.

Dunbar was freed of Douglas’ murder in September 2015; however, he was back behind bars in June 2016, after being charged with the murder of James ‘Sheppy’ Shappeard, who was found lying near a vehicle at the side of the road in Twenty Hill, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his head.

However, on Monday, January 16, 2017, the matter was discontinued and Dunbar was once again a free man.

Information has since reached SEARCHLIGHT that police officers suspect that Dunbar is responsible for several acts of violence that have occured following his release.

He stood before the Serious Offences Court with no legal representation yesterday; however, defence attorney Grant Connell is representing Douglas and Ronald Marks represents Francis.

The trio will remain in police custody until November 27, 2017, when a Preliminary Inquiry into the matter is scheduled. (AS)