Crime Roundup:
- Mario Morrison, who pled guilty to killing Shineka, now says he did not do it.
- Police arrested three suspects connected to the Westmoreland robbery spree.
- Detectives have indicted Travis ‘Chi Chi’ with five additional charges
In a stunning twist of events, Mario Morrison, the individual convicted of the murder of 15-year-old Shineka Gray, took the stand and claimed that he played no part in the killing.
Morrison, who pleaded guilty in September 2022, testified during the St. James Circuit Court trial on Monday, December 4, 2023. His testimony was directed against the remaining defendant, Gregory Roberts.
Under questioning from Roberts’ attorney, Leroy Equinox, Morrison made it clear that although he held Roberts’ phone to view a video of the incident, he denied any involvement in the murder.
Furthermore, Morrison, who acknowledged having engaged in sexual relations with Shineka, maintained that it was consensual and not forced.
Interestingly, it was also revealed in court that at the time of the alleged murder of Shineka, Morrison was out on bail in connection with another murder charge.
After spending four and a half years behind bars, Morrison was granted bail in October 2016. Tragically, just three months later, the young schoolgirl lost her life.
Following a plea agreement, the court sentenced Morrison to life imprisonment.
Morrison and Roberts were apprehended and charged with the murder of Shineka after her body, bearing multiple stab wounds, was discovered in bushes in Irwin, St James, on February 1, 2017.
The trial resumed on Tuesday, December 5, with two additional witnesses set to provide their accounts.
Thus far, ten out of the eighteen witnesses have already given their testimonies.
A seven-member jury presides over the proceedings.
Police held three suspects in the Westmoreland robbery rampage.
Law enforcement in Westmoreland, Jamaica, has arrested three suspects connected to a gang responsible for recent robberies and murders in the area.
The arrests were made after intercepting three vehicles in Little London. The suspects are still in custody as part of the ongoing investigation. Deputy Superintendent of Police Adrian Hamilton, who is heading the operations, shared this update with the business community to reassure them and discuss possible solutions.
The suspects have addresses in Montego Bay and were suspected of scouting the area for robberies. It is believed that the criminal syndicate causing the chaos has connections with criminals from other police divisions, including St Elizabeth.
The police are working to restore calm and have increased personnel in the affected areas. The violence has led some small business owners to close early, impacting the local economy.
Salt Spring triple murder accused slapped with another homicide charge.
Detectives from the St James Police Division have indicted Travis Tummings, also known as ‘Chi Chi’, with five additional charges. The authorities previously charged Tummings with the November 6, 2023, Salt Spring triple murders, which included two children.
The tiler of Barrett Town in the parish was charged on Saturday, December 2, 2023, in connection with the murder of 47-year-old Anthony Forbes, also known as ‘Plait Up’, of Flower Hill, Salt Spring, also in the parish, on Friday, October 27.
Tummings is now additionally charged with murder, wounding with intent, burglary, possession of a prohibited weapon, and using a firearm to commit a felony.
Reports from the Montego Bay police are that at about 1:10 am on October 27, a group of men, allegedly including Tummings, broke into Forbes’ house and opened gunfire at him before escaping in the area.
Hospital authorities pronounced Forbes dead on arrival.
Tummings was subsequently pointed out on an identification parade by an eyewitness. The police later charged him with the additional charges.