Former police constable sentenced to 22 years for murder of D’Jonnay Graham

KINGSTON, Jamaica—A former police constable was sentenced to 22 years and six months for manslaughter and 20 years and three months for using a firearm to commit a felony in connection with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old D'Jonnay Graham in June last year. Constable Patrick Walters was sentenced in the Home Circuit Court in October 2026. His sentences are to run concurrently. Graham was fatally shot on June 25, 2025, at Essex district, Richmond, St Mary. Indecom investigated the circumstances of her death and submitted its report to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The ODPP’s ruling, dated July 17, 2025, directed that Constable Walters be charged, and he was charged on July 21, 2025. Walters on July 15, 2026, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and using a firearm to commit a felony. The matter progressed from the fatal incident through independent investigation, prosecutorial consideration, criminal proceedings and sentencing, reaching its judicial conclusion 464 days after Graham’s death. Indecom in a statement said this case demonstrates the importance of progressing matters as expeditiously as the evidence and circumstances permit. According to Indecom, its operational vision is to complete investigations within 12 months where possible, while recognising that the overall time taken to reach an outcome depends on processes extending beyond the initial investigative enquiries. "The completion of timely investigations relies on scientific and forensic analysis, including certificates and reports that are necessary to establish facts or support subsequent proceedings. The timely production of these materials is therefore an important part of the wider accountability process. Delays in obtaining such material can, in turn, affect the progression of a matter beyond the investigation," it said. Further, it said the early availability and preservation of video evidence can also assist. "Body-worn camera (BWC) footage, closed-circuit television (CCTV) and other available recordings may help establish the circumstances surrounding an incident, reduce evidentiary uncertainty and support more efficient investigative assessment. Indecom therefore continues to encourage policies and practices that facilitate the use and timely preservation, retrieval and access to relevant video evidence," it noted.