By Clinton McGregor
Assistant Commissioner Clifford Chambers, head of the Area One Police, says investigators are close to laying charges against the suspect held in connection with the rape and murder of nine-year-old Esher Primary student, Nikita Noel, in Hanover.
The child was killed on Wednesday while returning home from school in Kew district.
ACP Chambers told Radio Jamaica News that investigators have been making steady progress in the case but still have "some issues that have to be ironed out".
Among the issues, he said, is the fact that several of those to be interviewed are juveniles, which means investigators must take particular steps to ensure the information obtained is admissible in court.
"So, as it is right now, I do not want to give a specific time when charges will be proffered, but I am confident that charges will be proferred on the persons who are responsible in a very short time," he declared.
The suspect was picked up shortly after Nikita's body was found in bushes close to her home.
He is said to be a friend of the child's mother.
