MANDEVILLE-based attorney Donald Getton has offered to represent one of three people taken into custody in connection with the robbery and abduction of elderly couple, Richard and Julia Lyn, and is working to get another lawyer on board.

Les Green, assistant commissioner of police in charge of the Major Investigation Task Force, said Getton indicated a willingness to take up the case after the Sunday Observer reported that police were unable to interview the suspects because no local lawyers wanted to represent the accused people.

The Lyns have been missing since December 10

"Mr Getton contacted me and said he would represent one of the persons involved," Green said. "He is also trying to get another attorney," Green added.
Owen Crosbie, another Mandeville-based lawyer, told the Observer that he is willing to be present while the police interview the suspects.

After Getton came forward, the police cancelled the planned transfer of the three accused, identified by police as Lennox 'Son Son' Swaby, his 50-year-old mother June White and Kevin Powell, to Kingston.

The assistant commissioner had previously told the Sunday Observer that the police were having a difficult time trying to find an attorney for the suspects.
"There seems to be a reluctance on the part of local attorneys from being involved, and we have to look further afield," Green said then.

But Green's announcement drew the ire of some lawyers based in the rural town, who told the Observer that they found his remarks offensive.
Sean Clarke, who practises law in Mandeville, claims that one of his colleagues had in fact assisted in a question and answer session between the police and one of the suspects.

GREEN... we have to go back and look at what new strategies we can come up with

"For them to come and say we are shunning the accused persons, because of the nature of the case, is false," Clarke told the Observer.
"I know at least four attorneys, including myself, that were not approached by the police to represent anyone. We feel castigated because ACP Green is suggesting to our clients that we are not protecting their rights," Clarke added.
Crosbie told the Observer that he too was never approached.

"I have been working at 3 Hotel Street since 1972, and my office is located across from the police station, but I have not been approached by anyone to represent any of the suspects," Crosbie also told the Observer.
The Lyns have been missing since December 10, and the police who had concentrated their search around a landfill at Martin's Hill, Manchester have since called off the search.

"We have to go back and look at what new strategies we can come up with to unearth information that will lead us to the Lyns," Green said.

Swaby and his mother have been charged with illegal possession of ammunition after police raided their home and discovered several bullets. Swaby was out on bail for the murder of a 14-year-old girl whose remains were found in a tank in the parish. He was also accused of carnally abusing the child.

The police have also recovered a Mack garbage truck, which they suspect was used to transport several large appliances, furniture and other items from the Lyns' and other homes in the town.

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