A look back at police-involved killings ruled ‘homicide by manslaughter’ in the Coroner’s Court

Thirteen officers are expected to be in court on Wednesday for committal hearings after police shootings were ruled ‘homicide by manslaughter.’

The committal hearing will be held to inform the officers that their files will be sent to the Supreme Court for charges.

All of the cases involving the officers were ruled ‘homicide by manslaughter’ in the coroner’s court, which does not determine criminal liability. Conventionally, the Office of Public Prosecutions determines that the charges will be filed then passes on the recommendations to the commissioner of police.

The coroner’s quick decision on Monday to summon the officers to court, is unprecedented, but based on: Section 34A 1 and 2 of the Coroner’s Act: “Where a verdict or finding of homicide is returned against any person, the coroner shall forthwith make out his warrant for his committal for trial before the Supreme Court and thereupon such person, if then present, shall forthwith be taken and conveyed to the prison, or, if absent, may be apprehended under warrant and conveyed as aforesaid.

“Where a verdict or finding of homicide other than murder is returned against any person, the coroner before or by whom the inquest or inquiry is taken may accept bail, if he thinks fit, with good and sufficient sureties for the appearance of the person so charged before the Supreme Court aforesaid and also before any magistrate if summoned by the latter and thereupon such person, if in custody, shall be discharged therefrom.”

Here is a look at a few of the deceased persons connected to police-involved killings:

Azario Major

Azario Major, 31 was killed on December 26, 2021, outside of a nightclub on Fire Trail Road. The four officers implicated, alleged he pulled a gun after he was ejected from the building for disorderly conduct. Major reportedly returned to the establishment with a gun, when he was killed by the officers. The case received widespread national attention when a US-based Bahamian vlogger circulated a video of the shooting and dismissed claims by the police. Claims are that Major held a close relationship with one of the officers.

The jury in the Coroner’s court unanimously classified his death as manslaughter.

Shanton Forbes

Shanton Forbes, 21, was killed March 25 2018 while at a party in the backyard of a home in Yellow Elder. He was shot multiple times to the chest when two officers claimed he targeted them with a gun, recovering a black Glock .40mm pistol. Forbes’ family insisted he did not have a gun but was shot while trying to leave the party.

Pathologist Caryn Sands says the evidence suggests that Forbes was in motion when he was shot and killed.

The jury in the Coroner’s court determined it was homicide by manslaughter.

Roy Stubbs and Ernst Foreste

The two men were shot and killed on January 23, 2018, on Cowpen Road when police said the deceased men aimed their weapons at them. Stubbs was shot to the torso and extremities while Foreste was shot to the head, torso, and lower left part of the body.

The men were reportedly involved in a robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Oaked Field when the two officers attempted to intercept them. The officers claimed Stubbs had a gun and was known to the police for his involvement in other murder cases. The officers also claimed that Foreste, a suspect in a murder and robbery incident, had a gun. A juror questioned the recovery of the gun—whether or not it was on the side of his body or in the car.

The officers were handed a homicide by manslaughter finding.

Gino Evante Finley

Gino Finley, 15 was killed on Prince Charles Drive on May 23, 2017 while robbing a QVS store in Seagrapes Plaza. Two officers were implicated when they shot Finley to the head and abdomen. One officer said he shot Finley to the chest as he reached for his weapon; while the lawyer representing his estate David Cash argued Finley was shot to the back and was unarmed at the time since the weapon was several yards from his body.

A pharmacist and patron testified that the boy, dressed in a school uniform at the time, held up people at gunpoint.

Coroner’s court ruled that both officers committed homicide by manslaughter.