Prosecution wants alleged cop killers hanged

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is to review the case of two men charged with the murder of a police officer in 2007 with a views to upgrading the matter to capital murder.

This would land the men on death-row, if they are convicted.

The disclosure of the possible upgrade was made Monady when accused Troy Burke and Everton Williams appeared in the Home Circuit Court to be tried for the murder of Constable Richard King.

The prosecution wants to upgrade the charge to a capital offence because the policeman was shot and killed in the line of duty.

The development resulted in the trial being postponed. However, the matter will be mentioned on May 16 for a bail application for Williams. Burke is currently on bail.

The men are represented by attorneys Robert Armstrong and Michael Lorne.

King was killed on September 30, 2007 after he and colleagues from the Kingston Central Police Station went to Orange Street, in Fletcher's Land, where a street dance was in progress.

Residents of the community said the cops were courteous as they enquired whether the organisers had obtained permission to stage the dance.

While there, three armed men reportedly opened fire at the police team.

King was hit in the head and collapsed. His colleagues returned the gunfire but the three gunmen escaped.

King was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.