'Storyteller' Morrison seeking early decision in compensation appeal case

Businessman  Richard 'Storyteller' Morrison, who spent 22 years in prison in the United States after he was wrongfully extradited in 1991, has made a special appeal to President of the Court of Appeal Justice Patrick Brooks to ensure that he gets an early decision in his appeal for adequate compensation from the Government.

The Supreme Court had awarded Morrison $3 million in February 2021 but he appealed on the basis that the sum was too low.

“I was illegally extradited because the extradition proceedings in Jamaica were not authorised by the Extradition Act.  The extradition  proceedings took only 11 months but since my return in 2013,  I have been seeking compensation for my rights to liberty which were violated. 

"I just want closure to this matter so I can move forward with my life," Morrison told The Gleaner today.

Morrison has since received a letter, dated February 21, from the Registrar of the Court of Appeal informing him that the president received his letter, dated February 19, 2023. He was informed that the panel which heard his appeal on December 13, 2022 and reserved judgment “understands your displeasure at the delay in the delivery of the reserved judgment.”

“However, the court carries a large number of cases and some cases do take longer than others to be resolved. Nonetheless, the President who was a part of the panel that heard the appeal has asked me to assure you that your appeal is now under active consideration and is expected to be completed before long.”

Morrison had filed a negligence claim against the Government which accepted liability.  He was also seeking millions of dollars for breaches of his constitutional rights.

Negotiations over the amount for compensation failed. The case was set for assessment of damages in the Supreme Court and Morrison was awarded $3 million in February 2021.

Morrison said the sum could not compensate for even a month of the living hell and torture he went through during the 22 years.

Morrison was extradited to face charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine and marijuana and conspiracy to commit murder while an appeal was pending against his extradition order. 

The offences for which he was extradited were  thrown out for lack of evidence and he was instead tried and convicted on cocaine charges which were not related to those for which he was extradited.

Morrison, 67, was reported to be an alleged member of the violent drug gang known as the Shower Posse, but Morrison has denied ever being a member of that gang.

- Barbara Gayle

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