Shineka Gray murder trial set for June 3

WESTERN BUREAU:

Gregory Roberts and Mario Morrison, the two men charged with the 2017 murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl student Shineka Gray, will stand trial in the St James Circuit Court on June 3.

The men were given the new trial date and remanded following their latest appearance before High Court Justice Martin Gayle on Thursday.

The trial date was arrived at following previous discussions between the prosecution and the defendants’ attorneys, Martyn Thomas and Chumu Parris. The prosecution’s case file also underwent a review during those talks.

June 3 is the second major trial date to be set for Roberts and Morrison, who were previously scheduled to be tried on November 19 last year. However, at that time, the case was put off due to a lack of jurors.

During the case’s mention on November 19, Roberts made an application through his lawyer for the trial to be held outside of St James, citing concerns for his safety. However, that application was denied.

Other issues have delayed the start of the trial, including Roberts’ frequent lack of legal representation prior to his securing the services of attorney Parris. In addition to Parris, Roberts was also represented by attorney Shelly-Ann Hyman, who withdrew her services on March 22.

The body of the teen, a grade 10 student at the Green Pond High School in St James, was found with multiple stab wounds in bushes in Irwin, St James, on February 1, 2017, three days after she was reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate.

Following investigations, Roberts and Morrison were arrested and charged.