The matter involving three police officers who were charged by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) in connection with the 2014 beating death of Mario Deane in the Barnett Street lock-up in Montego Bay, St James, was again postponed when the cases were called up un the St James Parish Court on Friday.

The cases were put off until Friday, May 4 after Parish Judge, Sandria Wong-Small, who has presided over the matter, was absent due to illness.

The three accused cops are Woman Corporal Elaine Stewart, District Constable Marlon Grant and District Constable Juliana Clevon.

INDECOM charged Stewart, Grant and Clevon with manslaughter, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office following allegations that they were on duty at the time when Deane was allegedly beaten by other inmates in a cell at the lock-up on August 3, 2014

Wong-Small's absence stalled the much-anticipated ruling to a no-case submission from the defendants' lawyers.

Deane was taken into police custody at the Barnett Street Police Station for possession of a ganja ‘spliff’ on Sunday, August 3, 2014.

Three days later, he died in the Cornwall Regional Hospital after receiving severe injuries to the head while in custody.

For breaking news, download our app at http://bit.ly/GetALoopJM for Android; and at http://bit.ly/GetiLoopJM for IoS.