Police Constable Patrick Bethelmie Jr., 23, of Bense

A third serving police officer has been charged as authorities continue to investigate the death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul in Dominica.

Police Constable Patrick Bethelmie Jr, 23, of Bense, has been arrested and charged with perverting the course of justice and possessing ammunition without a valid licence.

Bethelmie is reportedly the boyfriend of Jolie-Ana Naomi James, who is facing the same charges in connection with the case.

Paul was reported missing on 24 July before her decomposing body was found in northern Dominica during a search assisted by the Barbados-based Regional Security System.

Several current and former police officers have since been charged.

Officers Jean-Luc Langlais and Joshua Hamlet are accused of murder, while Police Constable Rennick Stevens faces a charge of perverting the course of justice. Nyoka James, 21, has also been charged with the latter offence.

Jolie-Ana James appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on Monday. She pleaded not guilty to the ammunition charge after electing for it to be dealt with summarily. The case was adjourned to 2 November.

She was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge of perverting the course of justice. That matter was adjourned to 10 November.

The charge reportedly stems from allegations that she provided police with a false statement about her whereabouts.

Her lawyer, Wayne Norde, said he intends to apply for bail and requested access to witness statements, interview records and the investigating officers. The bail hearing is scheduled for 4 September.

The other defendants are due back in court on 2 October.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: DOMINICA: Another Police Officer Charged in Jerbiah Paul Death Investigation.