Cop charged with murder after shooting motorist who threw soup

The Director of Public Prosecutions has ruled that Constable Kevin Dilworth be charged with murder after he allegedly shot a 47-year-old motorist who reportedly threw soup at him during a traffic altercation. 

The deceased is Conrad Mahaber. 

Dilworth, a 36-year-old police officer from Spanish Town, was granted bail of $400,000 by Senior Parish Court Judge Yvette Wenthworth-Miller in the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday.

 His attorney, Althea Grant, argued that he is not a flight risk and has served 13 years in the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Dilworth is required to report to the Spanish Town police on Mondays and Saturdays and will reappear in court for committal proceedings on February 7, 2025.

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The incident occurred on August 22, 2023, when Dilworth, while driving on Brunswick Avenue, identified himself as a police officer and instructed Mahaber to clear the road.

Dilworth claimed Mahaber was attempting to retrieve a firearm, prompting him to fire his licensed weapon, hitting Mahaber in the upper body.

A licensed Glock 17 was recovered from Mahaber, who was later taken to Spanish Town Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries after surgery.

Dilworth has also been charged with using a firearm to commit a felony

The Independent Commission of Investigations and the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau conducted an investigation, leading to the file being submitted to the ODPP, which issued its ruling yesterday.

- Rasbert Turner