Jamaican man granted bail in fatal police shooting case

Hartley Blake, a 34-year-old labourer from Clarendon, Jamaica, has been granted bail amounting to $400,000 following his appearance in the May Pen Parish Court. Blake faces charges related to firearms and shooting with intent stemming from an incident on March 6.

“

Blake, who fled the scene, subsequently turned up at the same hospital suffering from gunshot wounds.

According to police reports, Blake was driving with three passengers when they allegedly opened fire on law enforcement officers who had signaled them to stop at a checkpoint. The police returned fire, resulting in the deaths of the three passengers, identified as Michael Pinnock, Dean Williams, and Roshene Lynch. Blake, who reportedly fled the scene, later appeared at the same hospital with gunshot wounds and was subsequently charged.

“

it was no less than 12 policemen who were engaged in the shootout, adding that they had discharged at least 50 rounds of ammunition from their weapons in the direction of where it was said that the men exited the Honda motor car.

During the bail application, Blake's attorney, Peter Champagnie, highlighted that numerous police officers were involved in the shootout, discharging a significant number of rounds. Champagnie also emphasized that Blake's injuries were exclusively to his back. Blake has denied possessing a firearm or participating in a shootout. The police claim to have seized two firearms from the incident. Blake has been hospitalized since the incident and requires ongoing medical care. Senior Parish Judge Dahlia Findley granted Blake bail under strict reporting conditions, with his next court date set for September 21.

“

all the gunshot injuries sustained by Blake were to his back.