Shineka Gray murder case hit by more delays

WESTERN BUREAU:

Gregory Roberts and Mario Morrison, the two men charged with the 2017 murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl Shineka Gray, will have to wait until January 29 to learn the outcome of discussions between their attorneys and the prosecution before their case moves ahead in the St James Circuit Court.

The men were given the new court date earlier this week and remanded by High Court Justice Dale Palmer.

The court was told that attorney-at-law Martyn Thomas, who is representing Morrison, wants to hold further discussions with the prosecution, in order for both sides to agree on the evidence to be canvassed during the upcoming trial.

Once the trial begins, the prosecution is expected to call 21 witnesses in the case, which is expected to generate significant public interest.

Roberts, who was arrested shortly after the gruesome 2017 murder, is being represented by attorney-at-law Shelly-Ann Hyman.

The two men were arrested and charged after the body of Shineka Gray was found in bushes in Irwin, St James, on February 1, 2017. Gray’s body was found three days after she had been reported missing. The body had multiple stab wounds.

Gray, who was a grade 10 student at the Green Pond High School at the time of her death, was last seen alive in Montego Bay on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate. Roberts and Morrison’s trial was originally scheduled to begin on November 19, 2018, but was delayed due to a lack of jurors and the absence of one of the defence lawyers.

At the time, Roberts made an application through his attorney for the trial to be held outside of St James, citing concerns for his safety. The motion was rejected.