​July 13 circuit court date for cop charged in ‘Buju’ shooting death

WESTERN BUREAU: Constable Andrew Wilson, the police officer charged with murder in the controversial May 17 shooting death of Granville, St James resident Latoya ‘Buju’ Bulgin, will have his matter formally transferred to the St James Circuit Court on Monday, July 13.

Wilson, who is represented by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and attorney Michael Hemmings, was informed of the impending transfer by parish judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce during his latest appearance in the St James Parish Court this morning. 

His $1 million bail was extended.

The court was told that while a committal hearing is usually held to transfer matters of this nature from the parish court to the higher court, that procedure will not be carried out because a nolle prosequi was submitted in order for the case’s hearing in the parish court to be discontinued.

It is also understood that when Wilson returns to court on July 13, a voluntary bill will be submitted to put his case before the circuit court that same day.

Wilson was arrested and charged on June 3, the same day he first appeared before the St James Parish Court, after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled on May 29 that he should be charged.

CCTV footage that circulated on social media following the incident shows a police officer firing at a vehicle driven by Bulgin.

The incident, including the tossing of Bulgin’s body into a police van, sparked public outrage and fiery protests by Granville residents, with renewed calls for the rollout of body-worn cameras in high-risk police operations.

- Christopher Thomas

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