IN JAMAICA: Police deny mass burial site claim in East Kingston, but......The ex-gangster had told the Sunday Observer that gunmen, assisted by rogue policemen, have been killing people and burying their bodies in the vicinity of a sand mine in Eastern Kingston.

THE police on Saturday denied the existence of a mass burial site in East Kingston, saying that its "intensive investigations" and "days of thorough searches" yielded no human remains.

However, the Jamaica Observer can report that the police went to the area only one day and they were not equipped to dig deep to determine the veracity of the claims made by a former gangster.

A police dog sniffs for bodies in this
hole dug by members of the security
forces during a search of a sand mine
in East Kingston last Friday.
(PHOTOS: MICHAEL GORDON)

According to the police force's Corporate Communications Unit, the police high command ordered the investigation in response to the January 26 Sunday Observer lead story that reported the claims of the former gang member.

The ex-gangster had told the Sunday Observer that gunmen, assisted by rogue policemen, have been killing people and burying their bodies in the vicinity of a sand mine in Eastern Kingston.

The gunmen, he said, are based between the East Kingston community of Rockfort, and the adjoining Harbour View in East Rural St Andrew. The former gangster took the Sunday Observer to the area, called 'Crusher', and pointed to the general area where, he said, bodies were buried.

However, on Saturday, the police said they were "refuting the existence of any such site".

"After the article was published, the Police High Command instructed senior detectives of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) to carry out an intensive investigation into the allegations, employing assets from the Forensic Scenes of Crime and the Canine Divisions," the Corporate Communications Unit said. more

Dad Watches his Wife and 4 Young Children Die In California Car Crash (VIDEO)........ Car burst into flames, trapping inside the 29-year-old mother and her children, boys ages 1 and 3 and girls ages 6 and 11.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A central California man helplessly watched his wife and four young children perish in a fiery crash after trying unsuccessfully to rescue his family from the burning vehicle, authorities said Sunday.

The man was driving behind his family Saturday night when the driver of a minivan ran a stop sign at a Fresno County intersection and struck his wife and children in their Ford Expedition, California Highway Patrol Officer Axel Reyes said. The SUV was thrown to the front lawn of a home and burst into flames, trapping inside the 29-year-old mother and her children, boys ages 1 and 3 and girls ages 6 and 11.

The father told officers he was driving about a quarter-mile behind his family and saw a flash of flames. The SUV was already on fire when he reached them. He tried to free his family from the vehicle, including breaking the windows, and suffered minor burns to his hands in the process, Reyes said. CHP Capt. Dave Paris told KSEE-TV that the mother also tried to escape but didn't make it. more

19 y-o Woman Miranda Barbour, Accused Craigslist Killer, Admits To Slaying 22 People As Part Of Satanic Cult: Report

Miranda Barbour, 19, told the Daily Item that she has killed at least 22 other people from Alaska to North Carolina. (WBRE)

SUNBURY, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania woman charged along with her newlywed husband in the murder of a man they met through Craigslist admitted to the slaying in a jailhouse interview with a newspaper and said she has killed more than 20 others across the country, claims police said they are investigating.

In an interview with the Daily Item in Sunbury, Pa., 19-year-old Miranda Barbour said she wants to plead guilty to killing Troy LeFerrara in November. She also said in the interview that she has killed at least 22 other people from Alaska to North Carolina in the last six years as part of her involvement in a satanic cult. more

IN JAMAICA: Son jeered because of unwell mother...... 29-year-old, Rosemarie Abrahams tries to fight life’s struggles despite challenges....kyphosis are the appearance of poor posture with a hump appearance of the back or "hunchback, back pain, muscle fatigue, and stiffness in the back.

BY DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE Sunday Observer staff reporter husseyd@jamaicaobserver.com

SEVEN years ago, Rosemarie Abrahams was a happy, working class young woman who would play football with her son, take him on walks and enjoying the moments skipping and jumping with him.

But all that has changed after she fell and hit her back, resulting in what was diagnosed as kyphosis.

Rosemarie Abrahams (right) is being supported
by her niece Christine Allison as she walks
in Old Harbour town on Thursday

Kyphosis, also called roundback, is a condition of over-curvature of the upper back. It can be either the result of degenerative diseases, developmental problems, osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebrae, or trauma, as in Abrahams's case.

The most common symptoms for people with kyphosis are the appearance of poor posture with a hump appearance of the back or "hunchback, back pain, muscle fatigue, and stiffness in the back. Most often, these symptoms remain fairly constant. In more severe situations, the patient may notice their symptoms worsening with time. The kyphosis can progress, causing a more exaggerated hunchback. In rare cases, this can lead to compression of the spinal cord with neurologic symptoms including weakness, loss of sensation, or loss of bowel and bladder control. In severe cases it can limit the amount of space in the chest and cause cardiac and pulmonary problems, leading to chest pain or shortness of breath with eventual pulmonary and/or heart failure.

Abrahams, 29, explained how her condition started.

"One day my mother was outside sitting on a bucket but she couldn't get up. She has arthritis," she explained to the Jamaica Observer. "She called me and when I went around there she asked me to help her up. Normally I would hold her hand by the wrist or her palm to raise her up. But this time I had to go behind her and put my hands underneath her arms and hug her around the chest. So when I raised her up, her knees gave way and she fell on me and I fell and hit my back on a rock that was there."

She said that she immediately felt her spine slip and knew something was drastically wrong. After complaining to her mom, she was told that she was okay and that she complained too much. more

IN JAMAICA: 15 y-o BOY MIND BOGGLING STORY....Tired of being raped many many times....CDA fears for boy’s safety; lad insists he won’t go back....Born in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, the young man is one of 16 children for his parents

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large helpsh@jamaicaobserver.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014

A boy aged 15 has given a mind-boggling version of his experiences while living at places of safety from where he absconded more than 50 times in the last six years.

His decision to be consistently on the move is due to the many times that he said he was raped by other boys at the institutions, beaten by them, and being verbally abused also by boys and workers.

The boy shows a scar on his back
which he said resulted from being cut
by another boy in a place of safety.
(then) Another scar on the young
boy’s left hand.

The boy, whose name we will not reveal, as he is a minor, spoke with the Jamaica Observer last week while he went on one of his regular treks in the downtown Kingston area, in search of food and other items. He has been out of the last place of safety that housed him for over a month.

“Me start run weh from me a eight because them rape me off. Is nine homes me run from. Me no wait too long fi run way,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Born in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, the young man is one of 16 children for his parents, including nine by his mother. He became a ward of the State from age two, as his mother, with whom he lived at the time, was unable to care for him. His father lived elsewhere. “Mi run weh from the nine homes over 50 times since 2008.
“Sometimes when mi report abuse, the police seh a dat mi fi get. Police no care ’bout me,” he said. He told the Sunday Observer that he has lived at places of safety in the parishes of Kingston & St Andrew, Manchester, St Catherine, Portland, and Clarendon.
The Child Development Agency (CDA), in a response, issued a statement to the Sunday Observer saying that it feared for the child and his safety. “The agency has been deeply concerned for the welfare of the ward in question who has repeatedly absconded from a number of child care facilities as well as while in the care of his family,” the CDA said.
“His frequent absconding continues to expose him to abuse and the risk of serious injury. Each time the ward is picked up by the police after running away from the child care facility and his family, he has reported to the social workers and caregivers that he has been abused by adult males while on the streets,” the CDA went on. more

UWI students hunt glory at Harvard University forum......10 students, and UWI lecturer in the Department of Government, Dr Omar Hawthorne attending in Boston, Mass.

THE University of the West Indies' Department of Government, Mona, is expecting major returns on its investment in 10 students and a lecturer representing the institution at this year's Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) in Boston, Massachussets.

The 10 students, and UWI lecturer in the Department of Government, Dr Omar Hawthorne, left the island last week for the US to participate in the 2014 Model UN forum, which started on Thursday and ends today.

"I am very confident that they will not just represent the UWI, Mona, but Jamaica on a whole, very well," said Head of the Department of Government at Mona, Dr Lloyd Waller.

"The department is seriously focused on broadening the scope of our students' engagements, locally and internationally. The more practical exposure, the better. This is absolutely critical to ensuring that our students are well rounded and ready for the world, no matter where they go," Dr Waller added. more

JAMAICA'S 2-man BOBSLED TEAM DID 58.42 secs in their first round. They have 3 more rounds to go. They are currently in 30th @ 2.17 secs behind the leader Russia......VIEW LIVE at this link http://stream.nbcolympics.com/bobsled/winter/14318/.....JA BOBSLED COMPETES TODAY: Jamaican Bobsled Team's Theme Is Amazing (VIDEO)......first heat of the bobsled tournament starts Sunday at 11:15 a.m. EST

FOLLOW:

Jamaican Bobsled Team Olympics, Jamaican Bobsled Team Sochi, Jamaican Bobsled Team Song, Jamaican Bobsled Team Theme, Jamaican Bobsled Team Theme Song, Jamaican Bobsled Team,Canada Music News

That'll be stuck in our heads for awhile.

The Jamaican Olympic bobsled team's theme song is super adorable and really catchy. Also, according to their website, the rhythm pairs well with the twists and turns of the sled track.

The first heat of the bobsled tournament starts Sunday at 11:15 a.m. EST. Until then, you can watch the video above. We're sure you'll have it memorized by the time the competition starts. more

Jury: Michael Dunn guilty of attempted murder, can't decide on murder........FACES UP TO 75 Years imprisonment. Jury hung on murder charge.

BREAKING NEWS

Jury stuck on murder count

'Loud-music' murder trial jurors told to keep trying

Judge Russell Healey told jurors to keep deliberating after they said they had reached verdicts on only four of five counts against Michael Dunn, accused of firing on an SUV full of black teens. FULL STORY more

UPDATE: VERDICT WATCH IN FLORIDA FOR MICHAEL DUNN. GUILTY or NOT GUILTY?.....Dunn, 47, who is white, is accused of firing 10 shots and killing Jordan Davis, 17, who was black..... JURY WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH A VERDICT IN 4 OUT 5 CHARGES. JUDGE WILL RE-INSTRUCT..........WE MAY HAVE A MISTRIAL......More deliberation will take place..... THIS DOES NOT SOUND GOOD AT ALL. VERDICT WATCH IN FLORIDA FOR MICHAEL DUNN. Jury Unable to reach verdict on count 1

Deliberations resumed in Florida on Saturday morning in the murder trial of Michael Dunn amid speculation that the jury was having difficulty reaching a decision on the fate of the white software engineer accused of killing an unarmed black teenager during a dispute over loud music.

Shortly after 9 a.m., Judge Russell L. Healey told a Jacksonville courtroom that the jurors had returned to the Duval County Courthouse and were resuming their work.

“We'll be in recess until we hear something more from the jury,” Healey said in remarks televised from the courtroom.

Jurors asked for large evidence boxes to be removed from the jury room, the judge said. The boxes will be moved to a locker.

The sequestered jurors received the case Wednesday afternoon. On Friday, they told the judge that they had reached a wall in their deliberations and asked to break for the night. more

PALAS goal is to award 100 scholarships and computers in 2014. First 13 students in JAMAICA that were award PALAS scholarships in July 2011. In 2013, PALAS awarded 60 new scholarships. Thus far, 115 awarded in 3 years totaling JA$5.0 Million. Please donate at www.PALAS1.org.

PALAS students in 2011

US HOCKEY STUNS RUSSIA AT SOCHI OLYMPICS.......T.J. Oshie Lifts U.S. Hockey Team Over Russia With Four Goals In Thrilling Shootout

USA Hockey2014 Winter OlympicsOshie ShootoutTj OshieUS HockeyJonathan QuickRussia HockeyOlympic Hockey Russia US Hockey ShootoutUS Russia Hockey ShootoutWinter Olympics2014 OlympicsSochi 2014Sports News

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — T.J. Oshie scored four times in the shootout and got the winner in the eighth round, leading the United States past Russia 3-2 Saturday in the thrilling revival of an Olympic hockey rivalry. Cam Fowler and Joe Pavelski scored in regulation for the Americans in the marquee game of the preliminary round. Jonathan Quick made 29 saves and stopped five attempts in the shootout.

International rules allow the same player to take multiple shots after the first three rounds of a shootout, and U.S. coach Dan Bylsma leaned on Oshie. The St. Louis forward went 4 for 6 against Sergei Bobrovsky. Captain Pavel Datsyuk scored two goals in regulation and another in the shootout. The fast-paced game was played in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin and an energized crowd. more

St James police apprehend alleged serial rapist, Patrick Green of Retirement......being charged with 11 counts of rape & 9 counts of robbery in various parishes plus many kidnapping charges

Friday, February 14, 2014 | 6:20 PM

ST JAMES, Jamaica -- The police in St James have apprehended an alleged serial rapist who the lawmen say has been wanted in several parishes.

He is Patrick Green of Retirement, St James.

The Mount Salem Police in St James reported that Green and another man were handed over to them on January 8 by residents who were suspicious of their activities.

Investigations have since led to Green being charged with six counts of rape, six counts of robbery, six counts of abduction and six counts of illegal possession of firearm in Clarendon; one count of rape in Manchester; and four counts of rape and three counts of robbery in St James.

He is also being charged with kidnapping in the three parishes.

The police are now appealing to anyone who believe that they may be a victim of Green, or anyone with information to contact the following Police Stations: May Pen at 902-9925, Mandeville at 962-2832 or Mount Salem at 952-4997. more

Kartel Trial: Handwriting expert scolds attorney

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Defence handwriting expert witness Carl Major elicited much laughter in the Vybz Kartel murder trial Friday when he scolded the prosecutor for breaking his concentration.

Senior Prosecutor Jeremy Taylor had asked Major, a retired superintendent of police, to look at a document and to refresh his memory about his analysis of the key witness’ handwriting.

The expert, an elderly man who wears glasses, was holding up the document when Taylor told him to put it down as it was not in evidence. At that point the expert paused, removed his glasses, apparently perturbed, and stared at Taylor.

Justice Lennox Campbell explained to Major that he had to keep the document out of the view of the jurors. Taylor then asked him to continue.

But instead, he looked at Taylor, pointed and exclaimed, “You broke my concentration”, as laughter erupted in the court.

Meanwhile Major has maintained under cross-examination that key prosecution witness was the one who wrote a letter to the Public Defender complaining about his own statement to the police in the murder trial.

With that the trial was adjourned until Monday, February 17. more

Striking Photos Challenge The Way We See Blackness.......The one-drop rule, this rule had become law in most Southern states "to protect and preserve White racial purity," ....Who is Black? What is Blackness?

Who is Black? What is Blackness?

Sembene McFarland,
"Black/African-American"

In a country where the face of the future is becoming ever more ethnically ambiguous, Blackness must be recognized as something other than just skin color and specific physical attributes. (1)ne Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race, a book published last year by Dr. Yaba Blay, explores the complexities of racial classifications, and the different ways that people live and experience Blackness.

Blay's book, recently highlighted in a PolicyMic article by Amirah Mercer, features Noelle Théard's photographs of individuals who fit the so-called one-drop rule, but who self-identify in various ways.

Biany Pérez, Afro-Dominican

In antebellum America, the one-drop rule was used to define a person with any Black ancestry, no matter how remote, as Black. By 1910, this rule had become law in most Southern states "to protect and preserve White racial purity," Blay writes in her book. "One hundred years later, however, the social and political landscape has changed. Or has it? more

Jamaica on target to pass IMF third quarterly review......will pave the way for a fourth drawdown of funds totalling US$71 million under the programme.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Jamaica is on target to pass the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) third quarterly economic review, under the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The approval, which is expected by the end of March, will pave the way for a fourth drawdown of funds totalling US$71 million under the programme.

Head of the IMF Staff Mission Team to Jamaica, Dr Jan Kees Martijn, made the disclosure during a press briefing at the Ministry of Finance and Planning’s National Heroes Circle offices in Kingston Thursday morning (February 13).

According to Dr Martijn, the impending approval by the IMF’s Management and Executive Board is based on the country’s positive performance under the Government’s economic reform programme for the third quarter of the fiscal year, between October and December, which recorded growth of about 1.4 per cent.

An IMF Mission, led by Dr Martijn, has been in Jamaica from February 5 to 13 to undertake the third review of Jamaica’s performance under the EFF, which was approved last May. Jamaica has, so far, had two positive reviews for the June and September quarters. more

Handwriting expert gives evidence in Kartel trial....."All the sheets exhibit the same characteristics. In my opinion they were written by one and the same person,"

A handwriting expert testified in the Vybz Kartel murder trial in the High Court downtown Kingston yesterday that a letter which is about to be introduced into evidence by the defence was in fact written by the prosecution's star witness.

Retired Senior Superintendent Carl Major, who was in charge of the Questioned Document section of the Government Forensic Laboratory, had been asked by defence attorney Tom Tavares-Finson to examine a photocopy of a statement given to the police by the prosecution's star witness and compare the handwriting to a letter the defence claims was written by the witness and sent to the Office of the Public Defender.

In the early days of the trial, Tavares-Finson had suggested to the witness that he had written the letter claiming he was forced by the police to give evidence and that he had in fact seen Clive 'Lizard' Williams after the night of August 16, 2011 when police accuse the five men of beating him to death.

The witness had vehemently denied writing any such letter.

Tavares-Finson and lead prosecutor Jeremy Taylor locked horns when Tavares-Finson attempted to enter the letter into evidence but Taylor objected on the grounds that the attorney was using the wrong method to introduce the exhibit. more

GUT, HEART WRENCHING STORY..... I COULD HAVE DIED TODAY....RulaBrownNetwork.com (RBN).

Post by Lauralee Patrika.

William Skinner Report on RulaBrownNetwork (RBN) - Marijuana, Coptic Church, Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey recorded Feb 7, 2014. Fridays @ 10:30am ET.

Jamaica, the 8th most stressful place on earth? What is your opinion on this latest finding?.......the things that are making Jamaica so stressful are unemployment, lack of morals and values within the home, lack of proper educational facilities and opportunities

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has been listed as the eighth most stressful place in the world, according to website SiliconIndia.

The list, posted to siliconindia.com, placed Jamaica between Pakistan and Masodonia.

"Jamaica is certainly famous for many things; it is known for its beautiful beaches, rivers, waterfalls and landscapes. It is also renowned for its music — namely reggae and ska — and its rich nightlife.

“However, the things that are making Jamaica so stressful are unemployment, lack of morals and values within the home, lack of proper educational facilities and opportunities. Crime and violence are other serious issues. With the current debt burden at about 130 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment at its highest level in 20 years, a sliding Jamaican dollar, a depleting Net International Reserve (NIR) and huge balance of payment are the major problems economic problems faced in Jamaica.

And all this problems did not occur overnight, but was caused by irregularities and weak functioning of the government," the report read. Also on the stressful list were: Colombia, Guatemala, Mongolia, El Salvador, South Africa, and Nigeria - cited as the most stressful country in the world. more

SPORT: Merlene Ottey's 200m indoor record still stands, 21 years after....... Ottey has won more Olympic medals in track & field history than any other woman, with nine

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Today (Thursday, February 13) marks 21 years since Merlene Ottey set a 200m Indoor World Record of 21.87 that still stands.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) website confirms that Ottey clocked 21.87 on February 13, 1993 in Liévin, France.

Ottey, Jamaica's most successful female athlete to date, became known as the 'Bronze Queen' because of the number of her third place finishes at major competitions. Ottey's career spans more than 30 years having her first Olympics in 1980 in Moscow, Russia, at 20 years old. She last competed for Jamaica at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 at 40 years old.

IAAF records show that Ottey has won more Olympic medals in track & field history than any other woman, with nine — one behind American Carl Lewis for the most by any gender. Named Jamaican Sportswoman of the year 13 times, between 1979 and 1995, Ottey became a citizen of Slovenia in 2002 and vowed never to run for Jamaica again following her controversial selection to represent the island at the Sydney Olympics. more

IN JAMAICA: Cop shot in Gregory Park......Police swoop down on Waterford

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A policeman is now in hospital nursing gunshot wounds after criminals opened fire on a police team in Gregory Park Thursday.

"Members from the police team were in the area carrying out several operations when they came under attack," Noel Christie, head of St Catherine South Police Division told OBSERVER ONLINE a short while ago.

Christie is part of a police team carrying out a search in the area to locate the gunmen.

Meanwhile, the police have increased their presence in and around the Waterford area in close by Portmore after a man was shot and injured by criminals on Wednesday.

The police have swooped down on the Waterford community in Portmore, St Catherine, after the shooting of a man in the area Wednesday night.

Head of the St Catherine South Police Division Noel Christie said that police are carrying out a number of investigations in relation to the shooting. The man was shot and injured by unknown assailants, Christie said. more

Kimmo Matthews

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