Jamaica Awaits Verdict in Murder Trial of Dancehall Reggae Star <PERSON> · Global Voices
Jamaicans – and dancehall music fans – have been anticipating the long-awaited verdict in the <PERSON> murder trial. Two days ago, blogger <PERSON> posted this Facebook status update:
Massive roadblocks, crowds milling round downtown Kingston in anticipation of ‪#‎KartelMurderTrial‬ verdict (which may not even be delivered today)
Journalist <PERSON>, who blogs here, wrote a first-hand account that supported <PERSON>'s update:
Its (sic) February 19, 2014.
There is animation and anxiety in the 200 metre space around the Supreme Court on King Street in downtown Kingston. In courtroom number 2, <PERSON> sits in the dock with his co-accused as prosecutor <PERSON> prepares to rubbish the closing argument of defence attorney, <PERSON> who acts for <PERSON>. The case has been going on since November 20, 2013 – we are nearing the end. The stakes are high. Security is tight as I have never seen it before.
Downtown is on edge. The precise reason is not known to many.
There are whispers that the police had intelligence overnight.
Her post went on to give an account of the day's court proceedings:
Court is about to resume its morning session. The eleven member panel of jurors takes seat in the box. The judge arrives. Jury is again asked to leave. <PERSON> [the lead attorney's son] wishes to address the court in the absence of the jury. Something weighs heavily on him. 600
In the normal course of a trial, I do not report matters that transpire in the absence of the jury but these matters are later repeated in their presence hence my reporting of <PERSON>’s burden that weighed him down.
He stands and says to the judge – I am very distressed to see the approach the police have taken this morning – extra police personnel who have descend on the building.
Judge – are you privy to intel the police has – is the judge’s almost impatient reply.
Christian – I am not My Lord but this scenario that bothers me – media representatives have identification, lawyers have identification, workers have to provide identification cards but jurors have to disclose that they are jurors to get unto the Supreme Court complex and that is very irregular and dangerous. Additionally, the family of the accused have been prevented from entering the building. There is no indication as to the reason this is so. I do no know that there is any order from this court.
Soon after that, <PERSON> reported, the members of the jury were called back inside and Kartel's lead attorney, <PERSON>, again rasied the matter – this time in the presence of the jury:
At the end of the session, the judge calls the superintendent and says ‘I have been made to understand that members of public some related to the family of accused have been denied entry. I don’t know the reason if any. What I will say is that every Jamaican citizen has a right to the court unless security forces have some reason that could interfere with the rule of court. I wish for you to bear that in mind. I can’t give any instructions as I don’t know what your intelligence is. But I ask you to consider the rights of the citizens regarding access to court. I wish for you to bear that in mind’.
Mr <PERSON> is later to announce to the court that during lunch he had discussions two police personnel – Superintendent <PERSON> and <PERSON> who reported there was ‘a breakdown in communication and I accept what they have said’.
Judge – do you believe if you had gone to them before the matter would have been dealt with
<PERSON> – No My Lord because it was because of what transpired in court why they came to me.
On Twitter, @Pseud_O_Nym said:
Whatever decision is reached today in the #KartelMurderTrial I won't be surprised. Juries are unpredictable.
— <PERSON> (@Pseud_O_Nym) February 19, 2014
As it turned out, the verdict was not delivered on February 19; the nation is still in limbo, but tweeting while they wait. Late yesterday, @Lacey_World noted:
It is expected that the prosecution will finish their closing argument today. #KartelMurderTrial
— unknown (@Lacey_World) February 20, 2014
<PERSON> later updated the legal timeline:
Judge in #KartelMurderTrial revised his expected date for matter to be handed to jury. 600