St Elizabeth wanted list, Munga trial and flood watch lead Jamaica updates

St Elizabeth police have published a list of wanted men and persons of interest as investigators pursue several cases in the parish. The public is being asked to help locate the individuals and to contact the Black River Criminal Investigation Branch, the St Elizabeth Protective Investigations Unit at 876-965-2026, police emergency 119, Crime Stop at 311, or the nearest station.

Those listed as wanted include Hinds, also called Kirky, of Claremont, New Market, St Elizabeth, Maroon Town and George Reid in Manchester, who is accused of escaping custody; Derek Robinson, also called O'Keefe, of Leeland Haughton district, wanted for murder; Jackson Gayle, also called Randy Gale, Bowlers and Short Man, of Retirement Road, Santa Cruz, wanted for murder; Alden Bailey, also called CK, of Union district, Balaclava, wanted for buggery; Javon Sims of Copper district, St James, accused of escaping custody; Leroy Gray, also called Bubble and Brown Chops, wanted for assault at common law; Lincoln Ferguson, wanted for rape and grievous sexual assault; Robin Allen, wanted for assault at common law; Merrick Parchment, wanted for rape and incest; Jerry Lee Black, wanted for fraudulent conversion; Matthew Campbell, wanted for arson; David Pataginger of Gan district, wanted for sexual intercourse with a person under 16; Alex Thompson of Rocky Hill district, Santa Cruz; Dylan Taylor of Beth Salem, White Hall; Leon Silurn; and Kevin Bailey.

The persons of interest named are Dwayne Watson, also called Merryman, who frequents Aberdeen district; Orita Davis, linked to Carisbrook; Verton Salmon, linked to Southampton district; Kasif Bennett, also called Casif, who frequents Amber Brooklyn in Kingston; and Romano Salmon, also called Buddhum, who frequents Huds Land district in St Elizabeth.

In Kingston, the murder trial of dancehall entertainer Munga Honorable, given name Damian Rhoden, and co-accused Sheridan Gordon began Monday in the Home Circuit Court. They are charged in relation to the 2017 killing of Cleveland Smith in Aki Walk, St Andrew. A first witness testified that she saw both accused firing at Smith. Their bail was briefly revoked before attorney Christopher Townsend applied for it to be restored; the court extended bail until Thursday.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica also issued a flash flood watch until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, for low-lying and flood-prone areas of Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew, citing a tropical wave interacting with an upper-level trough.

Separately, Justice Dale Palmer ruled that a statement from deceased witness Chenise Roberts may be admitted in the Clansman gang trial. The statement concerns the February 7, 2020 murder of Lenon Smith at Philps in St Andrew. Michael Wildman, Jerome Spike, Nashan Guest and Giovani McDonald are on trial for allegedly facilitating the murder and robbery.