News Briefs

Virus fear pushes Sanders, Biden to cancel rallies

WASHINGTON (AP):

Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden abruptly cancelled election-night rallies Tuesday night in Cleveland amid concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus, as public health fears began transforming the 2020 race.

The Democratic National Committee also announced that the party's next debate, being held Sunday in Arizona, would not have a live audience, “at the request of both campaigns and out of an abundance of caution”.

The moves suggest the coronavirus could upend the Democratic primary at a pivotal time in the race for both candidates. Sanders is trying to regain some momentum in the latest round of voting Tuesday night, while the former vice-president is looking to further pad his delegate lead.

COVID-19 puts off Vaz birthday bash

In the wake of Jamaica registering its first case of the dreaded coronavirus, the birthday bash for Portland East Member of Parliament Ann-Marie Vaz has been postponed.

The MP's birthday bash, which was scheduled for Saturday, March 14, at Folly Oval in Port Antonio, including a massive stage show, has been put back for a date to be announced.

Among the headliners that were billed for the stage show were Bounty Killer, Capleton, Busy Signal, Bugle, Louie Culture, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Tommy Lee, Night Hawk, Josey Wales, Richie Spice, Chi Ching Ching, and Gully Bop.

Juror no-show delays Mario Deane trial again

WESTERN BUREAU:

The long-awaited trial of the three police officers who are facing multiple charges arising from the 2014 beating death of Mario Deane hit yet another snag yesterday, as it was rescheduled to September 21 because of a lack of jurors and the absence of the investigating officer.

The implicated cops, Corporal Elaine Stewart and District Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, are charged with manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, and perverting the course of justice. Their bais was extended until the new date by presiding .

Although the trio’s trial had previously been scheduled to start yesterday, High Court Justice Glen Brown was forced to reschedule the matter after the prosecution admitted that there were not enough jurors for them to proceed. The court was also told that the investigating officer was absent and would not be back on duty for several months.

This latest delay marks the seventh overall delay since the defendants first came before the St James Circuit Court on September 18, 2018.

Deane was brutally beaten on August 3, 2014, while in custody at the Barnett Street lock-up for possession of a ganja spliff. Deane, 31, later died at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.