Communications forensic witness shows how Shineka Gray's killer got her phone

A telecommunications forensic expert from the Jamaica Constabulary Force on Wednesday showed the St James Circuit Court how a cellular phone belonging to 15-year-old schoolgirl Shineka Gray was used by convicted murderer Mario Morrison.

The police witness made a presentation during today's resumption of the trial of Gregory Roberts, who was charged in 2017 in relation to Gray's murder that year.

Morrison, who was arrested and charged alongside Roberts, pleaded guilty to Gray's murder in 2022 and is currently serving a life sentence.

“What the data revealed is that Mr Morrison, after inserting his SIM card into Ms Gray's phone, he also inserted her SIM card into his phone. The data shows that on January 30, 2017, Ms Shineka's mobile number is being associated with Mr Morrison's IMEI [International Mobile Equipment Identity], and Mr Morrison's mobile number was associated with Shineka's IMEI,” the witness told presiding High Court Justice Bertram Morrison.

On November 30, Morrison testified that on the night Gray was killed, Roberts gave him the schoolgirl's phone and that he put his SIM card into it.

Roberts and Morrison were arrested and charged after the 15-year-old schoolgirl's body was found on February 1, 2017 with multiple stab wounds in bushes in Irwin, St James.

Gray, who was a grade 10 student at Green Pond High School in St James, was found dead three days after she had been reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay on January 31, 2017 while on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate.

Meanwhile, the telecommunications forensic expert showed a series of text messages Roberts sent to his ex-girlfriend, airing grievances over money that Roberts accused the woman of stealing from him.

“U keep reminding me of all that u did for me, but u blind to see that I don't live anywhere and just trying to set my life back on track, but u take everything from me under false pretend (sic) by building up my hopes that am going to have u next to me…u took my money under false pretend, it nah guh so!!!” stated one of the text messages Roberts sent on January 29, 2017.

That was the same day Shineka Gray went missing.

Roberts' ex-girlfriend had previously admitted in her evidence to the court on November 29 that she had received money from Roberts on January 28, 2017.

However, she denied receiving money from Roberts on any previous occasion or that she had made any promises to the defendant.

The trial continues on Thursday morning.

- Christopher Thomas

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