Correctional officer charged with killing inmate

A correctional officer who is accused of shooting and killing an inmate at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre last December, was offered $600,000 bail when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday.

Everald Ferguson, 59, attended the first hearing for the committal proceeding for the charge of manslaughter. It is alleged that the inmate was shot and killed when he attempted to disarm Ferguson. The incident is alleged to have happened on December 25 about 6:30 a.m., at the facility, while the inmate was being escorted to the bathroom.

In a bail application King's Counsel Peter Champagnie submitted that the prosecution's case will be difficult to prove.

"They are relying on CCTV footage, there are no eyewitnesses to the incident," Champagnie said. He stated further that his client has been a part of the correctional services for more than 15 years and has no criminal record. He assured Parish Judge Venise Blackstock-Murray that Ferguson will not interfere with the investigation.

The judge then offered the accused bail with at least three sureties and ordered that he reports to the police once weekly. Ferguson is to surrender his travel documents and a stop order was imposed.

The matter was adjourned until December 1 for mention.

- T.T.