The jurors of the Coroner’s Court have found that Detective Constable Shane Francis was “criminally responsible for the death of Constable Sheldon Williams” who was shot and killed six years ago.
The verdict was handed down by the jurors at a coroner’s inquest held into the controversial death of the young constable in Ocho Rios, St Ann on Sunday, August 29, 2010.
However, Det Cons Shane Francis cannot be held criminally responsible as he was shot and killed on Sunday, April 18 of this year at a party in White River, St Ann.
The father of Constable Sheldon Williams, Devon Williams is now seeking to get compensation six years after the death of his son.
TWO OTHER COPS NOT RESPONSIBLE
In a letter sent to Mr Williams from the office of the Special Coroner of Jamaica, it stated that:
“The Jurors having considered the evidence the verdict was handed down on July 5, 2016.
The Jurors found that ‘Detective Constable Shane Francis is criminally responsible for the death of Sheldon Williams and Constable Daswell Roberts and Constable Ricardo Ellis were not criminally responsible for the death of Sheldon Williams.’
The Coroner’s Court conducts inquests into sudden or suspicious deaths.
SHOT AND KILLED
In a story that North Coast Times reported on, 24-year-old Constable Sheldon Williams, from Barclay Town, near Gayle, St Mary was shot and killed on Sunday, August 29, 2010 in Ocho Rios, St Ann.
It is alleged that Williams had earlier been reprimanded by one of his colleagues during a boat excursion after he discharged his weapon in a gun salute, along with other officers.
Police reports indicated at the time that while he was being processed, Williams, also known as ‘Sylvan’ — grabbed his firearm and fled the police station. A police team reportedly gave chase before Williams was killed during an exchange of gunfire.
Francis and two other cops were said to be the shooters involved.
COMMENTS AT FRANCIS’ FUNERAL
However, the coroner’s inquest, presided over by the island special coroner William Campbell, found that only Det. Const. Shane Francis was criminally responsible for Williams’ death.
At the funeral of Det. Const. Shane Francis held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Thursday, May 26, deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Howard Simmonds who read the eulogy had said that Francis had been exonerated from any blame by several investigating bodies including the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) in any matters where he was under investigation.“It is wrong for anyone to continue to assassinate his character because he has been exonerated of all blame,” explained DSP Simmonds, at that time. With the inquest finding Francis criminally responsible on July 5, Francis would not have been cleared as he still had a matter before the courts.This ruling means that criminal charges could have been laid against Francis with the death of Williams in 2010.
FEELING BETTER
In an interview with The Times, Devon Williams, the father of Sheldon Williams, explained that he now feels much better with the verdict and is glad that it is over.
“It can’t bring back my son… but the family feels much better,” Mr Williams explained.
Mr Williams said that he will be seeking to get compensation for the death of his son. He remembers his son as a “friendly person,” who was kind to everyone.“He was well loved throughout St Mary,” Mr Williams said.Const Sheldon Williams was in the police force for close to four years and was stationed at the Armoury in Kingston.Mr Williams is happy that his son has been cleared of any wrong doing that arose from the incident as at the trial Const Francis had suggested that his son had shot at him several times, before he (Francis) shot him in self defense.While noting that the inquest was long and lasted for some years, Mr Williams expressed his gratitude to several friends and family members, who were there throughout the journey with his family and offered their support as he took the path to gain justice in the death of his son.
