The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A POLICEMAN testified in court that a community activist punched him in the chest when he came to his home to make inquiries.

Constable 535 Rolle is a complainant in the trial of Valentino “Scrooge” Brown, of Lewis Street who faces four charges – disorderly behaviour, obscene language, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

The former gang leader denies that he acted in a disorderly fashion and cursed police when they appeared at his home on March 23. Brown further denies that he resisted and assaulted Police Constable 535 Rolle when the officer moved to arrest him.

In Monday’s proceedings before Magistrate Saboula Swain, Constable Rolle said he came to Brown’s home off Market Street to make inquiries based on information he had received.

It was at this time, he told the court, that Brown punched him in the chest and cursed him. The officer said he moved to arrest the accused who resisted.

Troy Kellman, lawyer for Brown, suggested that the officer was the aggressor in the encounter between the two and that his client never used obscene language in their interaction.

The witness denied the suggestion. He also denied that he slammed Brown to the ground and placed his knee on Brown’s neck, preventing him from breathing and nearly blacking-out.

Constable Rolle was the only witness called in Monday’s proceedings. The case was adjourned for the continuation of the prosecution’s case.