Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s portrayal of the altercation between JLP councilor-caretaker Dean Jones and Wayne Walker as a “staged” event seems to be a direct attack on the PNP rather than addressing the poor judgment demonstrated by Jones.
Mr. Jones, the JLP’s candidate for the Trinityville division in St. Thomas, was filmed brandishing his licensed firearm during an altercation with a businessman on Monday, February 5, 2024.
By framing the narrative in a way that suggests Walker was the aggressor, the Prime Minister’s attempt to sway public opinion appears unsubstantiated. Despite Holness’s careful dissection of the video during an interview with RJR, denoting it as “carefully cut” and “carefully edited,” he insists that it captures someone approaching the councilor’s car, followed by an attack and subsequent self-defense.
However, he emphasizes that the video cannot be taken as evidence unless verified. Throughout the interview, Holness seemed to paint the PNP as the instigator, even indicating that the JLP had cautioned its candidates to be wary of potential intimidation tactics.
The Prime Minister’s advice to councilors to be exceedingly cautious and record their activities further reflects a skeptical approach to the situation, suggesting an undercurrent of doubt and suspicion.
Jamaican/Canadian woman accused of defrauding a local business over $3 million
A woman from Jamaica living in Canada appeared in court on Tuesday accused of fraudulently obtaining goods worth over $3 million.
Jodiann Bonnick Anderson faced a Senior Parish Judge at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court over the alleged fraud. She is accused of incurring a debt of $3,267,941 by posing as the owner of a West Indian store and deceiving a small business owner.
The complainant extended credit to Bonnick Anderson, but she reportedly did not repay the owed amount. The defense counsel mentioned that she promptly paid CAN$ 6,000 (J$627,600) to the complainant upon learning of the accusations.
Bonnick Anderson, who was detained by police at the airport upon arrival in Jamaica, is reportedly pregnant and receiving medical treatment in Canada. Her defense attorney sought bail for her, but the Crown opposed it, citing her dual citizenship as a potential flight risk.
The investigating officer stated that additional individuals have come forward with complaints against Bonnick Anderson, hinting at the possibility of more cases being brought to court.
Judge Cole-Montague remanded Bonnick Anderson until February 20, 2023, and ordered the court documents to be disclosed to the defense team by February 9, 2024.
Cops injured in Trelawny crash
Four police officers from the Trelawny police department narrowly escaped serious injury after their vehicle overturned along the Duncans to Falmouth main road in the parish.
The incident occurred on Wednesday around 7 a.m. when the officers were en route to Falmouth.
According to Corporal Kirkland Crosse of the traffic department, the vehicle skidded and overturned during the journey. The officers were promptly taken to the hospital for observation and, fortunately, sustained only minor injuries.