The court case relating to the death of Mario Deane while in state custody has been transferred from St. James to Westmoreland.

Deane was arrested in August 2014 on ganja-related charges. While at the lockup at the Barnett Street police station, he was allegedly beaten by other detainees.

He was admitted to the hospital and died a few days later.

Three cops who were reportedly on duty at the time of the incident were charged with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

They are Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, as well as Corporal Elaine Stewart.

The case has been dragging on for a decade, with multiple adjournments due to a lack of persons to sit on the jury. 

When the matter was called up in the St. James Circuit Court Justice Bertram Morrison noted that no juror was available to facilitate the start of the trial.

Justice Morrison then transferred the matter to the Westmoreland Circuit Court.

The accused cops, who are on bail, will appear in that court on February 17 next year.

Meantime, human rights lobby group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has welcomed the decision of the court to transfer the case involving cops charged with the death of Mario Deane.

The transfer comes after years of delays and adjournments due to a lack of jurors in St. James.

JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson expressed concern about systemic issues and called on the government to address these issues.

Ms. Jackson expressed hope that the move to Westmoreland will result in the case progressing.

She called on the police to ensure that jury summonses are served on time and that greater effort is made for potential jurors to appear before the court.