分类： society

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A three-year judicial pursuit reached its culmination on Tuesday as the Manchester Circuit Court convicted taxi operator Kevon Lesley for the brutal murder of his partner, Shadae Brown. The verdict, delivered by a seven-member jury after a rigorous two-week trial, brought profound relief to the victim’s family who had endured immense emotional trauma since the March 2023 incident.

Presiding Judge Grace Henry McKenzie oversaw the proceedings that concluded with Lesley’s murder conviction. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 26, with the defendant’s legal representative, Attorney Norman Godfrey, declining commentary pending judicial determination.

The case involved particularly distressing circumstances as Brown’s eleven-year-old son witnessed his mother’s violent death. Court records indicate Lesley employed three separate knives during the sustained attack, ignoring desperate pleas for mercy from both the victim and her young son. Testimony revealed the perpetrator had threatened to stab the child when he attempted to intervene during the assault.

Family matriarch Millicent Laird expressed collective relief outside the courthouse: “We obtained justice today after carrying this heavy burden for three years. Her son can finally live without fear, as this man is permanently removed from our lives.” The grandmother emphasized the psychological impact on the children who were confined with Brown’s body for hours before alerting neighbors.

Previously documented accounts from Brown’s mother, Donna Walker-Ellis, detailed a pattern of domestic abuse preceding the murder. Despite separating from Lesley in January 2023 after a violent incident involving thrown furniture, Brown had permitted his return to their Newport residence two weeks before her death due to her compassionate nature.

Walker-Ellis described her daughter as an exceptionally humble and industrious surgical assistant who maintained employment at a medical facility until her tragic demise. Community members characterized Brown as a jovial, honest individual who embodied kindness in all interactions.

Both families referenced spiritual fortitude throughout the judicial process, with Walker-Ellis noting: “I remained hopeful through sleepless nights because I believe no tears go unnoticed and no sin goes unpunished by the Almighty.” The conviction represents significant symbolic importance for Newport residents who remembered Brown as an exemplary community member whose life ended through unimaginable violence.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a landmark move for labor development, Jamaica’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has formally established a collaborative framework with the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ) through a signed Statement of Intent. The ceremonial signing occurred during the opening of HRMAJ’s 45th Annual Conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Wednesday, with Portfolio Minister Pearnel Charles Jr and Acting Permanent Secretary Dione Jennings representing the government.

Minister Charles Jr emphasized the agreement transcends symbolic gesture, representing a concrete commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperative action. He highlighted the aligned objectives between the ministry’s mandate and the association’s mission, noting their “shared goals and mutual obligations” toward national workforce development.

“Our ministry recognizes the strategic value of this partnership,” Charles Jr stated. “We will continue establishing policy frameworks and regulatory standards while HRMAJ equips organizations with professionals, knowledge, and tools for effective implementation.”

The minister contextualized the partnership within global workforce transformations, stressing the urgency for flexible, competitive labor markets. He envisioned the collaboration as instrumental in advancing Jamaica’s workforce readiness amid evolving economic demands.

From the association’s perspective, HRMAJ Vice President Michael McAnuff-Jones characterized the agreement as historic for the human resources profession. The partnership positions Jamaica to become the Caribbean’s first nation with government-supported HR regulation, joining jurisdictions like Canada, South Africa, and parts of Europe.

McAnuff-Jones revealed the initiative will involve self-regulation mechanisms centered on a revised code of ethics modeled after the United Kingdom’s standards. He expressed gratitude for ministerial support in advancing professionalization efforts that promise to elevate HR practices nationwide.

Jamaica faces a severe infrastructure security crisis as coordinated vandalism and theft against utility networks drain the nation’s economy of at least US$350 million annually, according to revelations from a recent industry webinar. This staggering figure, considered conservative by experts, exposes systematic attacks on the country’s critical electricity, water, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Telecommunications provider Digicel reported direct losses of US$3.9 million within a single year, with attackers specifically targeting critical systems. The company documented 452 battery thefts, 97 vandalized generators, 9 damaged shelters, and 290 compromised sites. According to Brithney Clarke, Digicel’s business marketing lead, perpetrators constitute a ‘mindless minority’ deliberately attacking infrastructure components—often with no functional value to them—primarily to extract scrap metal, with cabling infrastructure and lithium batteries being frequent targets.

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) revealed the most substantial financial impact, estimating annual losses of approximately US$200 million from electricity theft alone. Shockingly, among Jamaica’s 1.06 million electricity users, 350,000 operate illegally without contractual relationships with JPS. Revenue security manager Jermaine Clarke explained that 26.34% of generated electricity is lost annually, with 72% of these losses classified as non-technical—meaning the energy is consumed but not commercialized due to theft. Approximately 35% of households consume electricity without meters or contracts, resulting in nearly 19.5% of all generated electricity being stolen.

This widespread theft directly contributes to Jamaica’s exceptionally high electricity costs, with residential customers paying 90% above the global average and businesses facing rates 60% higher than worldwide norms.

The National Water Commission (NWC) reported significant losses from vandalism, including US$70-80 million in damages at Goshen facilities serving Portmore and approximately US$150 million in arson-related damage at the Caymanas water facility. Regional manager Garwaine Johnson noted that vulnerable NWC facilities cannot be easily secured, leaving infrastructure exposed to repeated attacks. These incidents resulted in an average loss of six hours of water production daily over one year, translating to approximately US$2 billion in losses.

The crisis extends beyond Jamaica’s borders. Cletus Bertin of the Regional Caribbean Electric Utilities Services Corporation reported that member utilities across the region average about 20% losses in generation costs due to vandalism and theft. For a utility generating US$715 million annually, this represents approximately US$143 million in losses each year.

Bertin emphasized that financial impacts extend beyond direct losses, as utilities must increase spending on security measures, repairs, and system restoration, thereby multiplying base operating costs.

In response, utility providers are advocating for stronger legal penalties and a coordinated national response involving government agencies, law enforcement, and industry stakeholders. Proposed solutions include enhanced utility-to-utility partnerships, security intelligence sharing for high-risk zones, community-based stewardship programs, and legislative reform of the scrap metal Act to impose harsher penalties on purchasers of utility-grade materials without verified origins.

While some collaboration already exists—particularly between NWC and JPS—industry leaders stress that deeper integration and engagement with political leadership is necessary to address this escalating national security and economic challenge.

Jamaica’s legendary Floyd’s Pelican Bar, an iconic tourism landmark situated offshore St. Elizabeth, has triumphantly reopened after sustaining severe damage from consecutive hurricanes Beryl and Melissa. The celebrated bar, constructed on stilts in the Caribbean Sea, has been restored through a collaborative partnership between local stakeholders and beverage giant Red Stripe.

The reopening ceremony, themed ‘Southside Resurrection,’ signifies a crucial milestone in revitalizing the south coast’s tourism-dependent economy and supporting adjacent communities. The rehabilitation project forms part of Red Stripe’s broader corporate initiative to bolster community tourism and assist small business recovery throughout Jamaica.

Floyd Forbes, the bar’s founder and namesake, expressed profound emotional relief following the devastation. “Witnessing the catastrophic post-hurricane damage left me uncertain about reconstruction possibilities,” Forbes acknowledged. “The collaborative assistance from Red Stripe and community members transformed recovery into reality. Observing boats returning today sparked genuine happiness. We’re fully prepared to host visitors once more.”

The bar’s prolonged closure had created economic ripples across a network of local entrepreneurs including boat operators, tour guides, artisans, and food vendors who depend significantly on daily tourist visits. With the landmark’s restoration, economic normalcy has returned for numerous families whose livelihoods are intrinsically connected to the attraction.

Red Stripe’s involvement extended beyond structural repairs to address broader community needs. Local tour guide Ackeem Blake, who transports visitors to the bar daily, celebrated resumed operations after weeks of forced inactivity. “Many of us faced unemployment following the storms, so reactivated business brings tremendous relief,” Blake stated. “Pelican Bar consistently supports community welfare—when it thrives, everyone benefits.”

Jason Henzell, proprietor of Jakes Hotel in Treasure Beach, emphasized the establishment’s socioeconomic significance. “Pelican represents more than merely a watering hole—it embodies community tourism in practice,” Henzell emphasized. “Red Stripe intervened decisively after both hurricanes without hesitation. This establishment sustains thousands of livelihoods. Numerous families can provide sustenance thanks to Floyd and Pelican’s cultural representation.”

Early indicators show renewed economic activity throughout Parottee Bay, with fishermen, craftspeople, and vendors resuming regular operations as visitors recommence the brief marine pilgrimage to this beloved Jamaican institution.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant legal confrontation unfolded in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court this Tuesday, spotlighting tensions between judicial reforms and law enforcement practices. Defense attorney Vincent Wellesley issued a compelling appeal for stricter adherence to Jamaica’s Bail Act, contending that authorities are systematically disregarding statutory provisions designed to protect suspects’ rights.

The controversy emerged during proceedings concerning a client of Wellesley’s who has remained in custody since January 29 after being detained at Sangster International Airport. According to Wellesley, his client was transferred to Kingston the following day and informed he would be held until February 8 without formal charges being filed—a situation the attorney characterized as legally untenable.

Wellesley invoked the 2023 Bail Act, which explicitly permits bail at three distinct stages: pre-charge, post-charge, and post-conviction in specified circumstances. ‘If the investigation remains incomplete, he qualifies for pre-trial bail,’ Wellesley asserted, emphasizing that continued detention without charges violates both the legislation and constitutional safeguards.

Responding to these claims, a representative from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) defended the detention under Section 39(1) of the Justices of the Peace Act (last amended in 2018). This provision allows Justices of the Peace to remand individuals suspected of certain offenses for multiple days when deemed necessary.

The MOCA representative justified the seven-day remand request by identifying the detainee as a person of interest in an active, multi-jurisdictional fraud investigation involving millions of dollars. She cited flight risk concerns, noting his multiple addresses and airport apprehension, and confirmed plans for an identification parade and imminent questioning.

Presiding Judge Alwayne Smith endorsed Wellesley’s concerns, observing that the Bail Act was deliberately founded on constitutional principles. Judge Smith highlighted specific requirements that bail must be addressed within 48 hours of detention and identification parades conducted within 150 hours of arrest.

Following deliberations, both parties agreed to schedule a question-and-answer session, after which formal charges may be filed. The case has ignited broader discussions about the implementation of Jamaica’s progressive bail reforms and the balance between investigative necessities and individual rights.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have formally charged alleged gang leader Courtney Ashley, also known as “Blood Stain” or “Biggs,” with multiple serious offenses stemming from a deadly September 2025 shooting incident in the St Andrew South community.

The charges include two counts of murder, wounding with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of prohibited ammunition. The case originates from a targeted attack on September 15, 2025, approximately at 7:00 pm on Grenmeade Road in the Molynes area.

According to investigative reports, assailants in a white Nissan AD Wagon executed a calculated assault on a group of individuals seated outside premises number 14. The shooting resulted in the tragic death of 25-year-old business operator Kimalie Powell (alias “Beans”) and two-year-old Tajuan Jackson, while 44-year-old chef Desmond Brown (alias “Papa”) sustained serious injuries.

Eyewitness accounts and police evidence indicate the vehicle initially passed the victims, reversed direction, and halted nearby before occupants unleashed gunfire. Powell attempted to flee into a nearby property but collapsed fatally. Jackson suffered a fatal neck wound, and Brown was shot in the left chest area.

Local residents transported the victims to Kingston Public Hospital, where Jackson was pronounced dead at 7:20 pm and Powell at 7:30 pm. Brown remained hospitalized in serious condition following emergency treatment.

Forensic teams from the Major Investigation Division processed the crime scene, recovering substantial evidence including four 9mm spent casings, a damaged bullet, bullet fragments, and multiple biological samples for DNA analysis.

Ashley’s apprehension occurred on January 12, 2026, during a coordinated police operation in Phoenix Park Village, St Catherine. Subsequent identification procedures conducted on February 2, 2026, at Greater Portmore Police Station led to formal charges being filed the following day.

The judicial process is underway as authorities finalize court proceedings while continuing complementary investigations into the incident.