DCP Stewart highlights forensics and teamwork in 30-year murder conviction

In a case that underscores the evolving power of forensic science and collaborative policing, Shamar Clarke has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for the heinous crime. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Richard Stewart, head of the JCF’s Crime and Security Portfolio, is publicly lauding the investigative team and forensic experts whose work secured the conviction.

The successful prosecution was the direct result of collaboration between the Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) and the specialized Communication Forensics and Cybercrime Division (CFCD).

The grim sequence of events began in October 2018 when Rhone was reported missing. The search ended tragically on the afternoon of Friday, October 19, when relatives discovered a man’s body in an abandoned building in Port Royal, Kingston. The following day, Clarke was taken into custody.

Faced with what DCP Stewart described as "overwhelming evidence”, Clarke confessed to the crime. A post-mortem examination on October 27 confirmed the victim’s identity and determined the cause of death was strangulation. Clarke was subsequently charged with murder, preventing the lawful burial of a corpse, and simple larceny.

A pivotal element of the trial was the analytical work of Detective Corporal Anneice Witter-Milligan of the CFCD. DCP Stewart highlighted her contribution as "crucial" in establishing a definitive link between Clarke and Rhone, which solidified the prosecution's case and led to the guilty verdict.

“This conviction highlights the precision of modern policing and the evolving capabilities of the JCF,” DCP Stewart stated. “The professionalism and diligence displayed by Detective Corporal Witter-Milligan and other members of the team shows that forensics and meticulous investigation will secure justice for families impacted by violent crimes.”

In court, Clarke was found guilty on all three counts in a judgement handed down by Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell in the Home Circuit Court on Tuesday.

 He received a 30-year sentence for murder, four years and 11 months for simple larceny, and two years for preventing the lawful burial of a corpse. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve a maximum of 30 years in prison.

The JCF positions this case as a clear signal of its commitment to leveraging specialized skills and inter-departmental cooperation to solve complex crimes and deliver long-awaited justice.