Richard ‘Storyteller’ Morrison going to Privy Council to get substantial compensation for his wrongful extradition

Jamaican businessman Richard 'Storyteller' Morrison, who is fighting a legal battle against the Government for substantial compensation for his wrongful extradition in 1991 to the USA, has taken his case to the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

Morrison, who described himself as a hero, said today “it isn't a coincidence that I filed an appeal in the Privy Council during the National Heritage Week, because just like some of our National Heroes who were sold out by their fellow black man, I too was sold out by my fellow black man.”

Morrison, who is representing himself, was this month denied leave by the Court of Appeal to go to the Privy Council in an effort to get an increase in his $3 million award for compensation.

Morrison filed his case before the Privy Council two weeks ago.

The Minister of Justice and the Attorney General are the respondents.

He disclosed that he has served the Attorney General with the notice of appeal.

In March, the Court of Appeal upheld the Supreme Court award of $3 million which the government was ordered to pay.

Morrison had appealed on the grounds that the amount was too small for the 22 years of “living hell” he spent in prison in the USA.

He filed an application on April 18 seeking leave to have the matter determined by the Privy Council as to the amount to be paid for the government's negligence and constitutional breaches.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the application for conditional leave was not filed within the stipulated time which was 21 days after the judgment was handed down on March 22, 2024.

The court said the application was not filed until April 18 and the court had no jurisdiction to extend the time.

Morrison was extradited while an appeal was pending to the Privy Council against his extradition order.

He was alleged to have been a member of the drug gang called the 'Shower Posse' and was extradited to face charges including murder and distributing cocaine and marijuana.

Morrison was tried and convicted for cocaine offences for which he was not extradited.

The offences for which he was extradited were thrown out.

- Barbara Gayle

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