Chief Justice Bryan Sykes - FILE PHOTO
By Racquel Porter
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes is urging the media to lobby Parliament to amend the Gun Court Act to allow coverage of the trial of former MP Jolyan Silvera who is charged with the murder of his wife Melissa.
The trial which was scheduled to begin today was pushed back until February 2.
The adjournment followed an application by the defence for the examination of critical ballistic material, which the laboratory had initially opposed facilitating, but has now accepted.
Mr Silvera, former People's National Party MP for St. Western, was arrested and charged with murder on January 18, 2024, and has been in custody since following the shooting death of his wife Melissa in November 2023.
Prior to Monday's adjournment, Chief Justice Sykes questioned members of the media of their awareness that the case falls under the Gun Court.
He noted that, under current legislation, matters before the Gun Court must be tried in-camera, meaning they are closed to the public and the media.
Justice Sykes encouraged journalist to raise the issue with parliamentarians when the opportunity arises.
The media had been in dialogue with the Court Administration Division (CAD) since Friday and was granted permission to cover the trial.
The CAD serves as the liaison between the media and the Judiciary.
However, Chief Justice clarified that the matter is in the Circuit Court Division of the Gun Court, which prohibits members of the public from being present when offences under the Gun Court Act are being addressed.
Justice Sykes said he has no issue with Journalists covering court proceedings.
Radio Jamaica News Justice Minister Delroy Chuck via telephone but he responded via text message that he was in a meeting.
The question whether any consideration to amend the act is up for consideration was sent to Mr Chuck via WhatsApp.
Melissa Silvera was found dead in the couple's home in Stony Hill, St Andrew, on November 10, 2023.
At the time, it was reported that the 42-year-old woman died in her sleep from natural causes, but an autopsy performed three weeks after her death revealed that she had died from gunshot wounds.
Three bullet fragments were found inside her body, prompting the police to commence a murder investigation.
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