(Jamaica Gleaner) Superintendent Vernon Ellis, the commander of the St James Police Division, says criminal suspects are now pleading guilty in court before the return of DNA test results with the hope of getting lighter sentences.
Ellis told The Gleaner that the police have been reaping dividends from recent training in DNA protocol as they have ramped up their use of science in their cases. He pointed out that DNA tests were proving useful in ensuring justice for all accused as not only are they securing convictions, but they have also been clearing persons wrongly accused of committing crimes.
“Most offenders are now pleading guilty before the results come back from the lab,” said Ellis. “These persons now realise that once they are guilty, the DNA evidence will identify them.”
Though not automatic, offenders who plead guilty usually receive a reduced sentence, compared to what they would have received had they been convicted following a not-guilty plea.
The latest offender to admit guilt in court ahead of the return of his DNA test results is 32-year-old Rhys Williams, a resident of Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, who was among six persons recently arrested after an illegal firearm was found at a location where the police accosted them.
While not outlining the exact method used to extract DNA samples from suspects, Ellis described the process as “non-intimate”.
“Since the training of a few officers in St James, we are now able to, when multiple persons are arrested, use the DNA samples to identify offenders,” said Ellis. “We have been using this with great success, especially in identifying persons who have handled an illegal firearm.”
CRITICAL TOOL
Ellis, who is one of the youngest persons in the officer corps in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, believes that going forward, DNA evidence will become a crucial instrument in the toolbox of law enforcement officers in Jamaica.
“The DNA Evidence Act will be a very effective tool going forward, especially when we don’t have any ‘I see you’ witnesses to call on,” said Ellis.
Turning to the uptick in murders in the northwestern, Ellis said that the police remained resolute in their quest to arrest gangsters and recover illegal weapons.
He said that up to Wednesday, his officers had seized eight illegal firearms and 144 rounds of ammunition for the month. Nineteen persons, including two children, were arrested in connection with the seizures.
“We are fully committed to restoring order in St James, and we want the residents to know that we will always be here for them. No criminal element will be allowed to become comfortable under my watch,” said Ellis.