Man acquitted of murder

Fri, Apr 12th 2013, 11:27 AM

A man who prosecutors accused of shooting a man five times was acquitted of murder on Wednesday.
A 12-member Supreme Court jury unanimously cleared Billy Johnson of the March 26, 2010 death of Rodne Fertilien at Dowdeswell Street.
The only evidence that linked Johnson to the crime was a confession he purportedly made to police on September 20, 2010.
Johnson, 36, of Fox Hill, said he relented and signed a statement after police subjected him to a brutal beating.
Johnson's lawyer, Ramona Farquharson, accused Sgt. 1908 Rolle and other officers of brutalizing Johnson in a back room at the Central Detective Unit for over six hours on September 19 until they sapped his will.
No officer made any notation on Johnson's detention record during the period Johnson alleged he was beaten.
Farquharson said the officers hog-tied Johnson, slapped him about the head and face and placed a plastic fish bag over his head at intervals.
She said that another officer placed a phone book on Johnson's chest and beat it with a bat.
She also alleged that officers applied pressure to Johnson's testicles with pliers.
Farquharson said, "That's why no other officer could have written on the detention record (during that period).
"He was with you and those officers, being beaten. And then he miraculously, on the 20th, he confesses."
Prosecutor Garvin Gaskin admitted that police brutality does occur. However, Gaskin said Johnson's accusation was baseless.
Justice Bernard Turner presided.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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