标签： Jamaica

The high-profile murder trial of former Jamaican opposition party parliamentarian Jolyan Silvera will commence on February 2nd under strict privacy provisions that will exclude both media and public from proceedings. Silvera faces charges for the 2023 firearm-related murder of his wife, Melissa Silvera, with the case falling under specialized Gun Court jurisdiction that mandates in-camera hearings.

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, presiding over the case, clarified that while he personally doesn’t object to journalistic presence, the final decision rests with legal representatives from both sides. “If the lawyers agree, then we can come to some accommodation,” Justice Sykes stated during Monday’s proceedings, “but for the time being it is what it is.”

The privacy measures derive from Sections 13(1) and 13(2) of Jamaica’s Gun Court Act of 1974, which permits exclusion of the public and restricts trial reporting in interests of public safety and order. These provisions have governed firearm-related cases for five decades, allowing only court personnel, legal representatives, and specifically authorized individuals to attend proceedings.

The case involves grim details surrounding the November 2023 death of Melissa Silvera, initially reported as natural causes until autopsy revealed three bullet fragments inside the body of the 42-year-old chemical engineering graduate and petroleum company CEO. The mother of four boys—one deceased before her—was found dead in the couple’s Stony Hill residence.

Silvera, appearing noticeably slimmer and well-groomed in tailored clothing during Monday’s hearing, has been in custody since his January 2024 arrest. The former People’s National Party representative is defended by attorneys Peter Champagnie King’s Counsel and Patrice Riley, while prosecutors Dwayne Green and Latoya Bernard represent the state.

Jamaica’s Gun Court operates through three specialized divisions: the High Court Division for most firearm offenses (judge-only trials), Circuit Court Division for serious crimes like murder with firearms (jury trials), and Resident Magistrate’s Division for preliminary inquiries—all typically conducted privately.

Nearly three months after Hurricane Melissa devastated the region, St Elizabeth Parish continues to grapple with a significant humanitarian situation as ten emergency shelters remain operational, housing approximately 72 displaced residents. The update came from Acting Parish Disaster Coordinator Rasha Lloyd during the January 12 meeting of the Disaster Preparedness, Hazard Mitigation & Safety Committee in Santa Cruz.

Among the active shelters, two educational institutions—Maggotty High School and Ginger Hill Primary School—continue to serve as temporary housing facilities. Remarkably, Maggotty High School has successfully maintained dual operations since November, functioning simultaneously as both a shelter and an active educational institution without disrupting academic activities.

The situation differs at Ginger Hill Primary School, where severe storm damage has prevented the reopening of classes. Officials project the institution will resume normal operations during the final week of January following necessary repairs.

Lloyd detailed the government’s multi-faceted approach to resolving the shelter crisis, emphasizing collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. “We’re exploring alternative housing solutions, including family reunification and rental assistance programs where the Government would subsidize accommodation costs,” Lloyd explained. “Additionally, we’re working to provide building materials for reconstruction, as many displaced residents previously occupied board dwellings that were completely destroyed by the hurricane.”

The ongoing shelter reinspection process, initiated in December, has been temporarily suspended throughout January to accommodate Earthquake Awareness Month activities. Coordination with the Jamaica Fire Brigade is currently underway to implement educational programs in schools throughout the month. Official shelter reassessments are scheduled to resume in February.

Jamaican law enforcement authorities have apprehended a high-profile criminal suspect during a targeted operation in St. Catherine on Monday. Courtney Ashley, widely known by his alias “Bloodstain,” was taken into custody by the St. Catherine South police division in the gated community of Phoenix Park, Portmore.

Ashley, identified as the alleged leader of the Bottom Marverly Gang, had been the subject of an extensive manhunt for multiple violent crimes. The suspect also maintains reported affiliations with the Yacca Avenue and 440 Drive criminal networks, according to police intelligence.

The capture concludes a prolonged search for Ashley, who had been prominently featured in the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s “Wanted Wednesdays” public awareness campaign. Law enforcement officials had sought Ashley in connection with the 2017 homicide of Andrew Foster and the non-fatal shooting of another individual on Fenbrook Avenue in St. Andrew.

Police authorities have additionally named Ashley as a person of interest in several ongoing investigations, including a recent double homicide case within the St. Andrew South Division. The operation represents a significant achievement for Jamaican law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and gang-related violence in the region.

Jamaican emergency officials are intensifying public education efforts on earthquake safety protocols as the nation observes Earthquake Awareness Week. Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, Education Officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), emphasized the critical importance of maintaining composure and implementing preventive measures during seismic events during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ session.

Ebanks stressed that prior preparation serves as the most effective antidote to panic during disasters. ‘Don’t panic. I know that’s the easiest thing to say and the most difficult thing to do, but prior preparation will ensure that, as much as possible, you don’t panic,’ the senior fire officer stated.

The JFB official provided specific guidance for various scenarios, warning against the instinctual reaction to flee buildings during shaking. Instead, he recommended the ‘drop, cover, and hold’ technique until vibrations cease, followed by orderly evacuation. Motorists on bridges should safely exit the structure before stopping, while pedestrians in urban areas with tall buildings should quickly move to spaces where collapsing structures cannot reach them.

Home preparedness measures include removing heavy or hanging objects from walls, particularly in bedrooms, where falling items could cause severe injury or death. Ebanks highlighted that these objects often become dangerous projectiles during seismic activity.

Post-earthquake procedures include immediate head counts to ensure family safety and designated individuals contacting emergency services only when absolutely necessary to avoid overwhelming communication systems. The JFB, in collaboration with other government agencies including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), continues to promote public education as fundamental to national disaster readiness under the theme ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake.’