Jolyan Silvera remanded in murder of his wife

Former parliamentarian Jolyan Silvera, who is charged with the murder of his wife, was this afternoon remanded when he made his first appearance before the Home Circuit Court.

The businessman will return to court on February 8.

Following the hearing, Silvera's attorney Peter Champagnie told reporters that his client maintains his innocence.

Champagnie also spoke out against remarks being made on social media platforms regarding Silvera, expressing concern for the businessman's children.

Earlier, presiding judge Justice Vinette Graham-Allen instructed that the media and family members would not be allowed inside the courtroom for the proceedings.

Silvera was charged last week.

Melissa, 42, was murdered at her Stony Hill, St Andrew home.

Initial reports had indicated that Melissa died in her sleep on November 10 of natural cause, a month shy of her eighth wedding anniversary. 

An autopsy performed three weeks after her death unearthed at least three bullet fragments in her body.

This prompted the police to upgrade the probe to a murder investigation.

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