Former policeman Delmar Taylor was acquitted yesterday of intentional libel after a magistrate upheld a no-case submission.
Delmar Taylor was accused of making defamatory statements about Derek Osborne, an actuary at Tellus Health, in an affidavit that he swore on July 17 that was used in divorce proceedings between Osborne and his wife, Darnell.
In accepting the no-case submission, Assistant Chief Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux noted that the disputed affidavit was not before the court.
She also pointed out that the affidavit was used in sealed divorce proceedings. As a result, the evidence in the affidavit was immune from prosecution.
During his testimony, Mr. Osborne said that he met Taylor in April while making a complaint at the Elizabeth Estates Police Station against his wife after she allegedly slapped him.
He alleged that Taylor later contacted him and asked that they meet in person.
During various meetings, Taylor told him that his wife had installed a kill switch and tracking device in his car. He also learned of his wife’s plans to put him out.
Osborne said he was grateful for the tips and gave Taylor money and Dairy Queen coupons.
Eventually, he said that his wife called him and showed him an affidavit from Taylor that contained untruths.
While never stating the nature of the lies, Osborne maintained that there was never any physical contact.
Osborne also denied being a homosexual or bisexual when cross-examined by Taylor’s lawyer Ian Cargill.
The affidavit was never entered into evidence by the prosecutor Inspector Kingsley Wilkinson.
