Uchence Wilson Gang Trial
Accused gang members freed, eager to reunite with family
Published:Tuesday | July 2, 2019 | 12:00 AMNickoy Wilson/Gleaner Writer
Junior Rose, one of two persons formerly accused of being members of the Uchence Wilson gang, said he felt vindicated after being freed yesterday, nearly two years after being put behind bars.
Rose and Shadday Beckford were released after prosecutors said they had no evidence against them.
“Mi always tell myself that (I was going to be free), ennu, because they know they don’t have anything on me. Is just like they took a car from me and I go to the police complaints department and the police bring vindictive feelings,” Rose said.
“That is the reason them lock me up so. Them never really have nothing on me so. So me no surprise weh me see gwaan right now becaw me know me haffi come out anyway soon becaw them no have nothing on me,” Rose told The Gleaner shortly after he was freed.
Rose and Beckford were yesterday freed of the charge of being a part of a criminal organisation when the trial of reputed gang leader Uchence Wilson and his cronies resumed in the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.
The trial had been on break since May 30.
Rose, who has three daughters and a son, said he was looking forward to reuniting with his children.
“Mi haffi happy say me come out ’cause me deh jail how long. Almost two year now, so me feel a more joyful feelings now ’cause me come out and move around with my youth them and thing,” he said.
Starting over
The St Andrew resident said he was now focused on getting back on his feet.
“Well, I used to run a garage of my own still. Based on to how long me deh jail, it kinda messed and some little thing now so me haffi start over again. Like me can start over again still. Seven time rise, seven time fall,” Rose said.
He was greeted by his partner, Sharon Brown, who leapt into his arms after he spoke with The Gleaner.
Beckford, who was sitting close by, declined to comment.
Defence attorneys are now making no-case submissions on behalf of the remaining 22 accused.
Wilson and the other 21 alleged gang members are on trial for breaches of the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act 2014, commonly known as the anti-gang legislation, for crimes allegedly committed from 2015 to 2017.
They are also being tried for breaches of the Firearms Act.