标签： Jamaica

Convicted former gang chieftain Joel Andem has initiated fresh legal proceedings from behind bars, petitioning Jamaica’s highest judicial authority to reinstate his appeal against a 2009 firearms conviction that added two decades to his existing prison term.

The legal maneuver targets the verdict delivered by Supreme Court Justice Paulette Williams, who found Andem guilty of discharging ammunition at law enforcement personnel in Kintyre, St. Andrew, back in 2001. The court determined the former Gideon Warriors Gang leader had committed acts of shooting with intent and unlawful firearm possession, imposing a 20-year sentence to be served consecutively with his prior incarceration.

Andem’s current application reached the Court of Appeal docket on January 12, 2024, where it will be reviewed by President Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop alongside Justice Kissock Laing and Acting Appellate Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell. Defense attorney John Clarke represents the incarcerated petitioner, who approaches the conclusion of his initial 20-year term originating from 2005 weapons convictions.

This constitutes neither Andem’s first judicial challenge nor his inaugural encounter with appellate scrutiny. His 2007 attempt to overturn the 2005 conviction—stemming from another armed confrontation with police at Skyline Drive, St. Andrew—resulted in comprehensive rejection by the appellate tribunal.

During those proceedings, Andem contended that trial court prejudice had violated his constitutional right to impartial adjudication. He asserted the presiding judge had previously made biased remarks about him during separate proceedings involving his common-law spouse, creating irreparable judicial prejudice.

The appellate court thoroughly examined claims of actual versus perceived bias, ultimately ruling that mere judicial awareness of a defendant’s notorious reputation cannot automatically establish prejudicial danger. The bench emphasized that Jamaican jurists routinely preside over cases involving defendants with widespread public notoriety without compromising judicial impartiality.

Andem’s criminal legacy traces back to 1983 with an initial larceny conviction, escalating through decades of escalating offenses until his 2004 capture in Clarksonville following a massive police-military operation. Former Police Commissioner Francis Forbes once characterized his operational methods as resembling ‘urban guerrilla warfare,’ reflecting the significant public safety concerns his activities generated.

The ongoing legal proceedings unfold within Jamaica’s expanded Court of Appeal complex on King Street, representing the latest chapter in the complex judicial history of one of the nation’s most infamous criminal figures.

FALMOUTH, Trelawny — In a significant boost to post-hurricane recovery efforts, Excellence Oyster Bay Resort has contributed a substantial US$21,000 donation to Falmouth Public General Hospital. The contribution comes as a critical response to the extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa, which obliterated approximately 90% of the medical facility’s roofing system in late October 2025.

The financial support was formally presented through a collaborative initiative with We Care, Falmouth Public General Hospital—an organization alternatively recognized as Friends of the Falmouth Hospital. This partnership will specifically channel resources toward urgent roof reconstruction projects. Beyond the monetary assistance, the resort further demonstrated its commitment by delivering specially curated gifts to uplift young patients in the pediatric wing.

Carrington McLennon, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, expressed profound appreciation while noting that the resort was the first entity to transform promises into tangible action. ‘Numerous individuals and organizations have visited our premises expressing intentions to help, but Excellence took the pioneering step of actualizing their commitment,’ McLennon stated. He emphasized the symbolic importance of conducting the handover ceremony publicly, encouraging other pledged donors to expedite their contributions.

Bealias Jimenez, Quality Manager at Excellence Oyster Bay, articulated the resort’s philosophy of community solidarity during the official ceremony. ‘Hurricane Melissa tested our collective resilience, but this donation embodies our message to the hospital staff and patients: you are not alone. The Excellence brand stands firmly with you,’ Jimenez affirmed. He acknowledged the severe operational challenges faced by the medical team, emphasizing that ‘health remains the fundamental priority—without it, we can accomplish nothing.’

Winsome Harper, Chair of We Care FPGH, provided contextual background regarding the hurricane’s devastating impact. The Category 5 storm struck on October 28, 2025, causing catastrophic structural damage and necessitating immediate emergency response. Harper praised hospital staff who heroically remained on-site during and after the disaster, providing continuous medical services despite the hazardous conditions. She additionally recognized international support from the Government of Spain and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which facilitated the establishment of a temporary field hospital to maintain healthcare services.

The donated funds originated from the resort’s ‘Share the Love’ philanthropic initiative, which allocated a percentage from every guest reservation during late 2025 specifically toward hurricane recovery efforts. In a remarkable display of global solidarity, Michelle and Martin Fisher Hippel—guests from Munich, Germany who witnessed the hurricane’s aftermath—separately contributed approximately US$90,000 to the hospital’s restoration campaign, further amplifying the international support network.

Jamaican health authorities are issuing a compelling call to parents and guardians, urging them to actively foster peaceful conflict-resolution techniques and advocate for healthy habits among students to safeguard a secure and effective academic environment. Gerald Miller, Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, emphasized in an interview with JIS News that although disagreements are a natural part of school life, resorting to violence as a solution is unacceptable and carries significant public health risks. He stressed the critical importance of children seeking adult intervention, particularly from teachers, when conflicts emerge, rather than attempting to handle disputes independently. Miller warned that student-initiated resolutions can rapidly intensify, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities, which subsequently burden the healthcare system with preventable medical cases. Beyond conflict, Miller reiterated the necessity of sustained vigilance against communicable diseases in educational settings. He highlighted fundamental hygiene practices—such as covering coughs and sneezes and maintaining thorough handwashing with soap and water—as vital measures to curb virus transmission. Miller also cautioned against touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands to prevent direct germ transfer. Adherence to these protocols, he noted, is key to minimizing avoidable visits to medical facilities, thereby alleviating pressure on Jamaica’s health infrastructure and ensuring student safety throughout the school term.

TRINIDAD — A brutal assassination has shocked the community of Rio Claro, southeastern Trinidad, after freelance journalist Kellyann Lemessy was murdered in a targeted attack outside her home on Thursday. The 38-year-old mother of three was ambushed by two masked assailants as she arrived at her residence with her two young daughters in the vehicle.

According to police reports, Lemessy was shot multiple times in the head and body while seated in her car. Investigators believe she heroically shielded her nearly two-year-old child, who was on her lap at the time of the attack. Remarkably, both her toddler and nine-year-old daughter emerged physically unharmed from the horrific incident.

Lemessy had worked as a correspondent for CNC3 television, building a career in freelance journalism. The killing has raised serious concerns about journalist safety and organized violence in the region.

This tragedy marks the second violent death in Lemessy’s family within a year. In June 2023, her sister Cassieann was similarly shot and killed in her vehicle near their Mayaro home, with one suspect currently facing charges for that murder.

Adding to the family’s complex history, Lemessy and another sister were previously charged with causing grievous bodily harm to their brother after an alleged boiling water attack. They had been released on bail of TT$200,000 (approximately US$32,000) pending trial.

Authorities are actively investigating possible motives behind the killing, including potential connections to her journalistic work, the previous family violence case, or her sister’s unsolved murder. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has vowed to prioritize the investigation amid growing public concern about violence against women and media professionals.