Munga Honorable murder trial opens in Kingston court

The murder proceedings against dancehall artiste Munga Honorable and co-accused Sheridan Gordon began on Monday after repeated setbacks and questions over witnesses who had migrated.

Munga, born Damian Rhoden, and Gordon are being tried in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston in relation to the 2017 killing of Cleveland Smith at Ackee Walk in St Andrew. Smith was said to be a cousin of dancehall entertainer Mr Vegas.

On the opening day, the first witness gave evidence that she saw Munga and Gordon shooting Smith. She also told the court that, after the gunfire, Smith lay still on the ground near the bicycle he had been riding.

Before the lunch break on Monday, bail was revoked for both accused men, who had previously been on bail. The Jamaica Observer observed the two being taken from the courtroom while handcuffed together. Munga moved at a very slow pace as two Jamaica Constabulary Force members escorted him. After lunch, both men were brought back into court still in handcuffs.

When the matter reached adjournment, defence attorney Christopher Townsend asked the judge to reinstate bail, saying the men had been granted bail following Smith’s death in 2017. The judge allowed the application, extending bail until Thursday.

Police accounts allege that Smith was confronted by several men, including one said to have had a firearm, during an entertainment event in Ackee Walk. He was shot in what investigators described as an alleged confrontation and was taken to Kingston Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.