Police Constable Karim Warner is appealing his one-year prison sentence after being found guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm during a confrontation in Willikies last December.
His attorney, Andrew Okola, filed the appeal shortly after Warner’s October 1 conviction, which stemmed from an altercation near the Emerald Cove Resort.
According to court testimony, the dispute began over a rental vehicle owned by Warner. When the renters refused to return it, he allegedly blocked their Toyota Mark X with his Lexus and ordered them to get out.
A female passenger testified that when she suggested taking the matter to the police station, Warner rejected the idea, drew his firearm, and fired several rounds—striking the car’s rear panel, trunk, and a front tire. She told the court she was so frightened that she lost control of her bladder during the shooting.
Warner denied the prosecution’s account, saying he had not fired a dozen shots and only sought to defend his property.
Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel dismissed that claim, ruling that while four bullets might disable a vehicle, twelve represented a “grossly disproportionate” use of force.
Warner wept as the verdict was read. The case now proceeds to the Court of Appeal.
