“They entered the dock as honest and upright citizens and they are leaving the dock as honest and upright citizens.”
Those were the words of attorney K.D. Knight, who represented a senior cop and a former manager of the Social Development Commission (SDC), who were both freed of fraud charges in the St Mary Parish Court, last Thursday, July 20.
Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Denise McKain and justice of the peace and former parish manager of the SDC in St Mary, Jeanette Rose-Bryan, were freed of charges of obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion.
The matter, which had been before the court since 2015, was dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence against them.
In a release issued almost two years ago on the charges, DSP McKain was arrested and charged on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 by officials from the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) following a high-level probe.
It was alleged that during the period 2009 to 2012, DSP McKain used an unregistered organization to fraudulently solicit and obtain money from farmers of the Three Hills farm district. Following checks made by members of the district, the alleged activities being conducted by DSP McKain were uncovered.
Several farmers from the Three Hills area had complained about handing over money and being told this would assist them in getting lots under a government scheme. When the lots were not forthcoming, they protested, including standing with banners outside the Area 2 headquarters.
A report was made to the then Anti-Corruption Branch and an investigation launched. A file was prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who ruled that the Deputy Superintendent be charged.
Further investigations led to the arrest and charge of Rose-Bryan.
Both were later offered bail.
CHARGES DISMISSED
The clerk of court indicated to the court last Thursday that the matter was sent to the DPP for a response to be made as to how to proceed with the matter.
The clerk explained that in relation to the charges of obtaining money by false pretence, the evidence from the statements suggested that both women were carrying out activities in accordance to what they were specified to do, such as, the surveying the lands and the allocation of plots of lands.
In relation to the charge of fraudulent conversion, the clerk pointed out that the crown did not have a forensic audit to say how much money was collected and dispersed. The clerk also cited that there was lack of management of accounts, but not of a criminal nature.
The clerk also stressed that there was no evidence to suggest that the money was not used for the objective of which it was to be used.
The clerk later offered no evidence.
In response, attorney K.D. Knight stated that justice had been done and both women were public servants and were at the time going beyond their duty. He added that his initial assessments of the file had shown no criminal wrong doing by the women.
Tears fell from the eyes of DSP McKain when senior parish judge Yvette Wentworth-Miller told her and Mrs Rose-Bryan that they were both free to go.
Several police personnel, who were also in court to offer support, exited the court room in relief at the news that both women had been freed.
