Constable charged with fatal shooting of Latoya 'Buju' Bulgin to appear in court next week

The murder case against Constable Andrew Wilson, the police officer accused of fatally shooting Granville resident Latoya 'Buju' Bulgin in an incident that sparked islandwide outrage, is set to move to the St James Circuit Court next week.

Wilson, who is represented by King's Counsel Peter Champagnie and attorney Michael Hemmings, appeared in the St James Parish Court on Friday, where Parish Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce informed him that the matter will be formally transferred to the circuit court on Monday, July 13.

His $1 million bail was extended.

The court heard that although matters of this nature are normally transferred following a committal hearing, that process will not be necessary after a nolle prosequi was filed, bringing the parish court proceedings to an end.

It is also understood that when Wilson returns to court on Monday, a voluntary bill will be submitted, allowing the case to immediately proceed before the St James Circuit Court.

Wilson was arrested and charged with murder on June 3, days after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled on May 29 that criminal charges should be laid.

The charge stems from the May 17 fatal shooting of Bulgin in Granville, St James.

The incident triggered widespread condemnation after CCTV footage circulating on social media appeared to show a police officer firing at a vehicle being driven by Bulgin.

The footage also captured Bulgin's body being placed into a police service vehicle, fuelling protests by angry Granville residents and renewing calls for the Jamaica Constabulary Force to fully implement body-worn cameras during high-risk police operations.

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.