Three cops to be charged in ‘friendly fire’ shooting

Charges are expected to be laid against three police officers following the December 5, 2012, shooting of Corporal Milford Edwards, who it had initially been said, had been injured by friendly fire.{{more}}

Edwards, a member of the Narcotics Unit (Drugs Squad), was shot in his upper right arm at the beach in Rose Place, during an operation carried out by him and other members of his unit.

A media release, dated March 11, from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said DPP Colin Williams wrote to Commissioner of Police Keith Miller on March 8, informing him that charges ought to be laid against Sergeant Julius Morgan of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

The charges identified are: unlawful and malicious wounding, unlawful discharge of firearm, excessive use of force and acting in a manner so rash or negligent as to be likely to cause harm.

The release said that the statements recorded following the incident were thoroughly reviewed by the DPP and having applied the Full Code Test to the evidence, the DPP gave instruction to the Commissioner to charge the officers.

“In addition, it was determined that Morgan along with Police Constables Orlando Collins and Adrian Forde be charged with conspiracy to defeat the course of justice” the release said.

Several attempts to contact Commissioner for comment on Tuesday proved futile.

SEARCHLIGHT made four telephone calls to his office, leaving a name and number for him to return our call; to no avail. Two calls to his cellular phone also went unanswered.

Up until press time, no charges had been laid.