Attorney updates court on absent client

A capital charge against three men came up before the High Court today but only two accused were present.

Rohan Alisaire Mario Holder, from Lammings Park, St Joseph and Kemar Peter Jamar Ward from Parish Land, Christ Church were present before the No. 4 Supreme Court but Sharaad Jabarry Phillips also from Parish Land, Christ Church was not.

Attorney-at-law Ajamu Boardi is representing Holder while Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim represents Ward.

Pilgrim also informed the court that he “formerly appeared” on behalf of Phillips and “I am made to understand that he is missing and believed/presumed to be deceased.”

The defence counsel explained that Phillips’ surety was summoned by law enforcement officers in connection with the finding of a body. The surety was informed that officials would endeavour to identify that  body through dental records. However Pilgrim said the exercise as far as he was aware had not been completed.

He also disclosed that Phillips’ family had brought it to the court’s attention that Phillips had not been seen for over 18 months. “She reported him missing to the police and went through all the appropriate requirements several moments ago,” Pilgrim revealed.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale who is representing the Crown in the matter said given the circumstances, a trial date could still be set for the other two accused.

Justice Smith-Bovell however set June 14 as mention date for the case to ensure that all parties have their necessary documents for trial.

The three men are accused of the shooting death of 27-year-old Sean Jordan of Gemswick, St Philip. That incident took place on June 6, 2015 at Waverley, Christ Church.