NEWS BRIEFS

Kern's defence to analyse phones

Lawyers representing North East St Elizabeth Member of Parliament Kern Spencer yesterday secured a victory in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, when sitting magistrate Judith Pusey ruled they should have access to three cellular phones now at the centre of the trial.

Pusey ordered that, beginning today, representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, along with police cyber-crime expert Patrick Linton, and any other cyber-crime expert necessary, the clerk of court, defence counsel and their expert should gather at the Organised Crime Unit in downtown Kingston to allow access to the phone.

Despite granting access to the phones, Pusey has ordered that they must not be manipulated to reproduce information or data not connected to the case.

She also warned against manipulating the phones to destroy or alter data on the phone, or to do anything to interfere with its operation.

Pusey's ruling means that the trial of Spencer will not resume until February 8.

New chairmanfor Air Jamaica board

Dennis Lalor, chairman of the ICWI Group, has been appointed to head a five-member board of directors of Air Jamaica to oversee the divestment of the airline.

Lalor will be supported by Christopher Zacca, special adviser to the prime minister; Dr Wayne Henry, special adviser to the minister of finance; Sancia Templer, president of Jamaica Trade and Invest; and Christopher Berry, chairman, Mayberry Investments.

The ICWI boss replaces Shirley Williams, who served as chairman of the Air Jamaica board since 2007.

Debate on IMF unlikely for Tuesday

It appears unlikely that Parliament will have a full debate on the implications of Jamaica's return to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before the deal is inked.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller on Tuesday night said Prime Minister Bruce Golding has made it clear to the Opposition that aspects of the letter of intent cannot be made public, at least not now.

Simpson Miller was addressing a People's National Party forum held at The Jamaica Pegasus Tuesday evening.

Government has indicated that the IMF board is to deliberate on the letter of intent on January 27, more than a week after, Parliament debates the issue on January 19.