Kartel co-accused re-arrested; jury panel still incomplete
JUSTICE Lennox Campbell revoked the bail of Calvin ‘Moonie’ Haye at the end of proceedings during the second day of the murder trial of Vybz Kartel, Haye and four other men in the Supreme Court yesterday.
As the prosecution and defence lawyers haggled over the selection of jurors and Campbell signalled that the trial would resume this morning, he asked if one of the accused was on bail.
After getting confirmation from court staff, Justice Campbell remarked, “He is remanded in custody,” before walking away from the bench to his chambers.
Haye was obviously shaken and bore a confused look as police officers handcuffed him and carted him off to the holding area for remandees.
His attorney, Diane Jobson , was also taken aback and indicated that she would be seeking to secure her client’s freedom this morning.
Yesterday, the empanelling of jurors still remained incomplete after two male jurors asked to be excused from duty due to job and business commitments.
Their requests were granted by Justice Campbell.
The pool of jurors summoned for the case have been exhausted by the Crown and defence, and Justice Campbell indicated that the court will return to the list of rejected jurors to fill the three remaining spaces.
He also warned the jurors not to associate themselves with any witnesses, attorneys or any other person involved in the case as it would compromise the trial.
“If you are approached by anyone, just bring it to my attention,” he advised.
Vybz Kartel, Haye, Shawn ‘Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, André St John, and Shane Williams are all charged with the August 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
The prosecution is planning to call six witnesses to build their case that the men are guilty of the murder of Williams who, along with another man, police said, was lured to a house in Havendale, St Andrew, to give account for a missing firearm.
The other man escaped, but Williams’ body has never been found.
Yesterday, Vybz Kartel, sporting a wild dreadlocks hairstyle, a brown suit with a yellow tie and orange shirt, appeared jaded at times.
As usual, his supporters gathered in areas close to the back of the courthouse to catch a glimpse of the dancehall star as he was taken from the holding area and placed in a van.
As police transported other prisoners from the court while Vybz Kartel’s trial was in session, shouts of “Worl’ Boss” could be heard inside court number two at the Supreme Court.
When his supporters realised that Vybz Kartel had not yet been taken from the holding area, they stayed until he was eventually removed late in the afternoon.