Clansman gang trial | Two former members, now State witnesses, expected to testify

Two former members of the Clansman Gang are expected to testify for the State in the trial of alleged leader Tesha Miller and 24 other persons accused of being members. The trial got under way Wednesday in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston.

The two men, who are currently serving sentences for murder, are the prosecution's main witnesses.

Earlier Wednesday, Miller and his co-accused pleaded not guilty as the long-anticipated gang trial formally began, following months of delays.

A police detective was among the first prosecution witnesses to testify, briefly outlining a March 5, 2023, police operation in Spanish Town, St Catherine, where the police have said the gang is based.

Testimony is expected to continue on Thursday when the trial resumes.

The trial had originally been scheduled to start on January 7 but was postponed after the prosecution applied for an adjournment until June, citing incomplete disclosure and outstanding forensic evidence.

That application was rejected by presiding judge Justice Dale Palmer, who ruled that a six-month delay would be unfair to the accused and an inefficient use of court resources.

In refusing the request, Justice Palmer said a February start date would provide sufficient time for defence attorneys to consult with their clients while avoiding what he described as an unnecessary delay in the proceedings.

When the matter was called up on Monday, however, the judge further pushed the start of the trial to Wednesday after defence attorney Jean-Mark Reid applied for a short adjournment.

Meanwhile, heightened security measures have been implemented around the Supreme Court building, with sections of King Street closed or restricted to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic as the trial proceeds.

The case has attracted widespread public interest due to the large number of accused, the serious gang-related allegations, and the inclusion of medical doctor Paul Robinson among those charged.

- Andre Williams

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