First witness to testify via video call

A crown witness is today expected to give testimony over video call in accordance with provisions under the Evidence Special Measures Act as the trial for reputed gang leader Uchence Wilson and his 23 alleged cronies continues at the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

Yesterday, attorney-at-law Lloyd McFarlane, who is representing Wilson, sought to have his client tried on the original indictment containing fewer charges.

The indictment was revised on February 25, increasing the number of counts to 53.

He argued that Justice Georgiana Fraser, who presided over the case-management proceedings, made an order that the indictment on February 9 should be used as is. But presiding judge Chief Justice Bryan Sykes rejected the application.

The attorney then made an application for an adjournment of at least a day to review the new indictment, but Sykes only allowed for a 45-minute adjournment.

The gang was dismantled during operations conducted in St Catherine, Clarendon and the Corporate Area on December 2, 2017, in which 15 key players were taken into custody by the police.

The matter, which was not being tried by judge alone, is being prosecuted by two senior deputy directors of public prosecutions, an assistant director, and a Crown counsel.

This will be the first gang matter to be tried. Previously, two convictions were secured under the anti-gang legislation by way of guilty pleas.