By Racquel Porter
The sentencing hearing for Andre 'Blackman' Bryan and his 14 fellow convicts from the One Don Gang trial was almost transformed into a Bible study on Monday with the quoting of scriptures.
It all started with Bryan, who, on March 8, was convicted of being the leader of a criminal network and seven counts of facilitating the commission of serious offences by a criminal organisation.
Citing passages from Psalms and Isaiah, Bryan declared that the two ex-gangsters who gave evidence against him, lied.
The 38-year-old musician, clad in a long sleeve buttoned-up shirt and khaki pants, insisted on speaking on his own behalf, despite objection from his attorney Lloyd McFarlane.
Bryan described himself as being conscious despite admitting that he did not obtain any CXC subjects.
But Bryan's sermon was halted when Chief Justice Bryan Sykes asked him to delay his speech, given that he had a lot to say, and to resume later.
Mr. McFarlane in his plea in mitigation asked that the court makes an order for his client's sentences to run concurrently and not consecutively.
The charge for leadership of a criminal organisation attracts a maximum sentence of 30 years while membership in and facilitating criminal offences both attract a maximum 20 years in prison.
The judge also has the power under the anti-gang legislation to order at least two consecutive sentences.
The lawyer also requested that the judge in passing the sentence on the facilitating offence rule in a manner that it does not exceed 30 years.
Mr. McFarlane further urged the court to bear in mind that his client has no previous conviction and that he has strongly maintained his innocence.
He asked that his client be credited for the five and a half years that he has already spent in custody.
Meanwhile, attorney-at-law Keith Bishop, in pleading for leniency for Lamar Simpson, asked the judge to consider that he developed tuberculosis in prison and that prison conditions would not be conducive to his health.
The 34-year-old father of two was convicted of being part of a criminal organisation.
The lawyer, who also quoted scriptures, pointed out that Jamaica is a Christian society and asked that forgiveness be shown to his client.
Lawyers for convicts Michael Whitely, Tomrick Taylor and Kimani Brydson also made similar pleas for leniency.
The attorney for Tareek James, who the witnesses said was one of the top shooters in the criminal network, today begged for a sentence of less than 10 years, while submitting that he was a teenager with an immature mind when he became involved in gang activities.
The 24-year-old convict, who was also the bodyguard for gang leader Andre 'Blackman' Bryan is to be sentenced for being a member of a criminal organisation and four counts of facilitating the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation.
Membership and facilitating both carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.
But attorney-at-law Esther Reid asked the judge to start his calculations at 10 years and ensure the sentence is under ten years.
She asked the judge to bear in mind that her client grew up without his parents.
Ms Reid disclosed that James' mother died from asthma when he was 11 and that his father had been shot and killed.
Notwithstanding that her client maintains his innocence, Reid submitted that James can still be rehabilitated as he is aware of the traumatic and negative effects of gang violence and its activities on the society.
She added that he has used the years spent in custody so far as a time for great reflection.
The sentencing hearing for all 15 people convicted in the One Don Gang trial continues Tuesday in the Home Circuit Court.
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