Former Jamaican member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera also faces a gun charge in relation to the murder case of his wife, Melissa.
The Judiciary of Jamaica revealed that Silvera is being charged with the offense of using a firearm to commit a felony, along with murder.
The revelation was made following backlash over the presiding judge’s decision to bar the media and family members from being present for his first court appearance last week.
The judiciary, in a statement released today, indicated that it has long been established that cases before the Circuit Court Division of the Gun Court are held behind closed doors to protect relevant parties such as witnesses.
The Gun Court Act states that “In the interest of public safety or public order, no person shall be present at any sitting of the Court except – (a) members and officers of the Court and any constable or other security personnel required by the Court; (b) parties to the case before the Court, their attorneys, and witnesses giving or having given their evidence, and other persons directly concerned with the case.”
Silvera maintains innocence
The former St. Mary Western representative for the People’s National Party will next appear in court on February 8.
Following his first court appearance on Thursday, Silvera’s defence attorney King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie spoke to the media.
Champagnie noted that his client is maintaining his innocence.
“He has maintained his position of innocence from day one. I am not saying that he is, because I understand that there is a report to that effect. No lawyer should ever really say that because if you so are certain, then you would be a witness,” he said.
Melissa Silvera was initially reported to have died in her sleep on November 10, 2023, at the couple’s residence in Stony Hill, St. Andrew. But the police later upgraded their probe to a murder investigation after her post-mortem examination revealed she was shot at least three times.
