In a move rarely seen, the JCF yesterday released updates into five recent shootings by the police in the months of October and December.

In the case of Hill, the police are reporting that nine statements have been recorded so far. The post-mortem was done on December 23, however, the post-mortem report as well as the ballistic and forensic certificates are outstanding.

Hill's killing has become controversial due to the conflicting reports surrounding his death. According to the Constabulary Communication Network, Hill was shot dead after he pulled a weapon on the police. The police said Hill was accosted shortly after 9:30 p.m. and, when he tried to fire at them, was shot dead.

However, human-rights lobby Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) said it has received accounts of the incident which suggest a party of policemen travelling in a taxi shot Hill in cold blood. JFJ said Hill and his pregnant wife were recently harassed and abused by the police.

The police said the investigation is progressing steadily. The bullet was recovered from the body and the car, which was used to transport Hill to the Kingston Public Hospital, was seized and went through forensic testing.

BSI investigating

The police said the fatal shooting was being treated by itself, and that the other allegations about the deceased and other policemen prior to the incident were not being addressed by the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI). These investigations are being conducted by other units in the force. Consultations will be done with the director of public prosecutions during the course of this week.

The police are also investigating the death of Clarence Charles Williams who was shot in St Ann on December 10. Twenty statements have been taken in that incident and investigations continue.

Investigations also continue into the death of Alphanso Green, of Linstead, St Catherine, who was shot on December 12. Three statements have been recorded and the post-mortem will be done on January 7 next year.

The police are still investigating the fatal shooting of Dwayne Pitters, otherwise called 'Cookie', at Mannings Hill on December 19. Though four statements have been recorded, the various components are outstanding. The post-mortem has not yet been done. The BSI is appealing to persons who were present when the shooting took place and who have information that can assist this investigation to contact the bureau at 922-7277/922-3359.

The police also said the forensic, ballistic, post-mortem statements and medical certificates are outstanding in the shootings of Shaneel James and the injury of Kesha Burrell at Stephen Lane on October 4.