Accused use bail time for more crime

NEARLY 180 persons accused of major crimes and linked to Jamaica's most heinous gangs have been fingered for other felonies while on bail, according to information obtained from the police.

When deliberation on the six anti-crime bills got under way in 2008 at the joint select committee level in Parliament, the Police High Command had made a strong case for passage of the measures, one of which prescribes a 60-day detention for repeat offenders charged with a serious offence.

Interim legislation to amend the Bail Act contains the controversial provision, which has been blasted by human-rights activists, some lawyers and the parliamentary Opposition as infringing upon the constitutional rights of Jamaicans.

Police data show that approximately 178 persons in the 19 police divisions islandwide who were on bail for allegedly committing murder and gun-related offences had become repeat offenders. Other crimes reportedly committed by accused persons while on bail were robbery, extortion and drug-related offences.

Targeting witnesses

A police source told The Gleaner that murders and shootings were usually carried out by the accused or his cronies to nullify the prospects of prosecution. The victims of repeat offenders were usually witnesses in the case, family members or associates, according to a senior police source.

The source also revealed that many crimes were masterminded by gangs to generate cash to finance their activities and to retain preferred attorneys-at-law to represent them.

Many repeat offenders are reportedly linked to major gangs such as the Umbrella thugs in Newland, located in the St Catherine South Police Division. That criminal network is blamed for the high number of murders in that area in 2009.

Other persons accused of committing a number of crimes were associated with gangs including Red Square and Lion Paw in May Pen, Clarendon; Stone Crusher in St James; Clansman and One Order in Spanish Town, St Catherine; Fatherless Crew in west Kingston; and Rat Bat, No Bat and Moscow in the St Andrew South Police Division.

Persons on bail who allegedly committed other crimes

Dwayne Tucker, o/c 'Markie', charged with murder in 2007: granted bail, shooting with intent in 2009; granted bail, back in custody for illegal possession of firearm.

Wallace Hera, o/c 'Kidd', charged with a double murder: granted bail, back in custody for the murder of a policeman.

O'Neil Donald, o/c 'Neil Diamond', charged for the murder of Constable Richard Alexander on March 28, 2007 at Juno Crescent, May Pen, Clarendon: on bail, charged with shooting with intent at a police party; bailed, charged with illegal possession of firearm and on bail yet again.

Leighton Slowly, charged with three counts of illegal possession of firearm in Manchester: granted bail, charged in Clarendon for illegal possession of firearm; granted bail, charged in Manchester for robbery and illegal possession of firearm.

Paul Bryson, o/c 'Kent': on bail for murder, charged with rape; on bail again and charged with another rape.

Quammie Cunningham: on bail for murder and shooting with intent, and in custody pending identification parade for multiple murders.

Kevin Williams, o/c 'Face Dog': arrested and bailed for murder, back in custody for another murder.

Andrew Wilson, o/c 'Bigga Pig': on bail for shooting, back in custody for shooting. He is allegedly with the Stinger gang led by Ricardo Wynter.

Kirk Roberts, o/c 'Gogo': on bail for murder, back in custody for shooting. He is part of the Fatherless Crew/Action Pack gang.