Accused in Cherry Tree Lane massacre to return to court May 29

The two men charged for last August's Cherry Tree Lane massacre in Clarendon, which left eight persons dead, have been further remanded until May 29.

Dushane Smalling, 28, otherwise called ‘Snowman’, of North Street in May Pen, and Leighton Whyte, 32, otherwise called ‘Bands’, of Havannah Heights, appeared in the Home Circuit Court this morning before Justice Leighton Pusey.

They are each facing a 21-count indictment including being part of a criminal organisation, eight counts of murder, eight counts of shooting with intent, eight counts of wounding with the use of a firearm, possession of prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition.

During today's hearing, the prosecutor indicated that the report from the Communication Forensics and Cybercrime Division (CFCD) was the only outstanding material and requested eight weeks for it to be completed, submitted and disclosed on the defence.

The prosecutor assured the judge that the matter is being treated as a priority.

The men are charged for the August 11 deaths of seven-year-old Aiden Bartley; Roger Messam, 48; Magaret Bonner, 40; Cavel Daley, 26; Diamond Bennett, a 20-year-old cashier; Errol Stewart, a butcher, 68, also known as ‘Wagga’; Jermaine Boothe, 33, also known as ‘Blacks’; and 50-year-old Lawrence Francis.

It was reported that about 8:45 p.m. on the day in question, the two accused men, along with Steve Smith and other men, who were all armed with handguns, drove to the community, where a birthday party was being held, and fired at a group of persons.

The shooting left eight persons dead and nine injured, including a one-year-old infant.

Following the shooting, the three men reportedly left the scene in the motor car in which they had arrived.

Smith was subsequently killed by the police.

Smalling was arrested after turning himself in to the police.

It is reported that Smalling went to clear his name, which had been bandied about by bloggers. He was reportedly told that he was not a person of interest but was sent to the Major Investigations Division (MID) in Kingston to provide him with “written clearance” after he insisted that he be given something in writing. However, he ended up being charged,

Whyte was arrested while he was reporting as part of his bail condition in relation to another matter.

Attorney-at-law Kemar Robinson is representing Smalling, and Dwight Reece is defending Whyte.

- Tanesha Mundle

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