36 People Were Shot In 36 Hours In Chicago......A 17-year-old girl killed Friday afternoon was among at least 36 people wounded in gun violence over the weekend in Chicago.

A 17-year-old girl killed Friday afternoon was among at least 36 people wounded in gun violence over the weekend in Chicago.

Gakirah Barnes, 17, was shot multiple times in the upper body Friday afternoon in the city's Woodlawn neighborhood. She died about two hours later at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in what was the first of four gunshot fatalities citywide over the weekend, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Barnes' mother, Shontell Brown, told the Chicago Tribune her daughter is the latest victim of "an ongoing war" playing out on Chicago's streets.

“This is something that has become all too normal to everybody, and it needs to stop," she told the paper.

Later Friday, 34-year-old Shannon Mack was fatally shot inside a car in South Shore, DNAinfo Chicago reports. Mack was pronounced dead at the scene.

DNAinfo reports 32-year-old Corey Brownlee and 20-year-old Joshua Martinez were fatally shot in separate incidents on the city's south and southwest sides early Sunday.

In another shooting, 24-year-old mother of two Jasmine Martinez was shot in the head and chest while driving in Humboldt Park early Sunday. Martinez was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, where she remained hospitalized Monday, ABC Chicago reports. more

CBO: Obamacare Will Cost Less Than Projected, Cover 12 Million Uninsured People This Year than if Obamacare had not become law.

WASHINGTON -- The Congressional Budget Office has released updated estimates on the Affordable Care Act's impact on both the budget and the health insurance industry. The findings show that the president's signature health care law is actually growing cheaper to implement, costing the government $5 billion less in 2014 than was previously projected. The law also is projected to cover more individuals than previously believed, owing, in part, to some broader workforce trends.

But a significant portion of the population will remain uninsured even with the law fully implemented. And the costs to individuals and employers, while lower than previous estimates, still provide critics of the law with ample fodder.

Below are some additional highlights from the CBO report:

Twelve million more non-elderly people will have health insurance in 2014 than if Obamacare had not become law. CBO's projections on this crucial measure of the law's success are higher than recent surveys from the Rand Corp., which estimated a 9.3 million reduction, and from Gallup, which shows a 3.5 million decline.

For all of 2014, the CBO expects 6 million people to be covered by private health insurance policies purchased through the exchanges, fewer than the 7.5 million enrollment figure touted by the White House. That's mainly because the CBO expects people to cycle in and out of different types of coverage over the year -- perhaps by taking a new job and the health benefits that come with it -- and because some enrollees won't pay their first month's premium or will let their policies lapse during the year. more

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Deadly Virus's Spread Raises Alarms in Mideast...Saudis Defend Approach to MERS Outbreak, Even as Cases Increase...."I'm not pretty sure that they are actually seeing how big this thing is," a Saudi doctor said on Sunday at King Fahd General Hospital

Saudi Arabia on Sunday confirmed a surge of cases of a deadly virus in the kingdom over the past two weeks, even as it tried to counter criticism that it wasn't doing enough to contain the outbreak.

The United Arab Emirates over the weekend separately announced six confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, among paramedics there, one of whom died of the illness. The high number of cases among medical workers raised questions about how effective Arab Gulf governments have been in controlling the 1½-year-old outbreak. "I'm not pretty sure that they are actually seeing how big this thing is," a Saudi doctor said on Sunday at King Fahd General Hospital, the large public hospital in Jeddah that has been hardest hit by a spike in the city this month....

The hospital reopened its emergency room on Friday after shutting it briefly for what authorities said was disinfection measures against MERS. But patients were avoiding the hospital, and health workers were "very worried" after the MERS death of one colleague and sickness in another, the doctor said. "What I really wish for is to shut the whole hospital down" until the spread subsides, she said.

Last week marked the biggest number of cases since the outbreak began, Dr. Ian M. Mackay, an Australian epidemiologist who has tracked the outbreak, wrote on Sunday. About 50 of the overall cases have been in health-care workers, he said, a strong warning sign about measures being taken to control the outbreak, he and others have said. "As far as we know, MERS-CoV does not spread easily from person-to-person, so these clusters suggest a breakdown in infection prevention and control." more

Attorney denies police claims about Vybz Kartel....."No meeting was ever held between Mr Palmer and any police officer nor was Mr Palmer ever asked by any police officer to give them any information.

BY PAUL HENRY Co-ordinator — Crime/Court Desk henryp@jamaicaobserver.com  Monday, April 14, 2014    ATTORNEY 

Tom Tavares-Finson has denied information in yesterday's Sunday Observer article that outlined that convicted entertainer Vybz Kartel gave the police information that led to the apprehension of wanted men and the recovery of 17 firearms.

The attorney also rubbished claims made by the police that Vybz Kartel was an influential figure in the deadly Spanish Town-based Klansman Gang, and that the gang carried out killings on his behalf.

Tavares-Finson

"That is nothing but further propaganda by the police," said the senior attorney, who described the police's comments as "highly irresponsible".

"The presentation by the Observer yesterday reflected just another attempt by the police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to prejudice the appeal of Mr Palmer," Tavares-Finson said.

"We note that the source of the information is reported as being anonymous, but we recognise the hand of a particular individual at the Corporate Communication Network," Tavares-Finson added.

The article said that Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) had met with the police to give them information when he realised that detectives were closing in on him for the murder of associate Clive 'Lizard' Williams, in August 2011, over the disappearance of two illegal firearms.

"No meeting was ever held between Mr Palmer and any police officer nor was Mr Palmer ever asked by any police officer to give them any information. That is a lie," the attorney said, as he disputed other assertions made in the front page article.

Additionally, Tavares-Finson noted that the article reported the police source as saying that the police had evidence that was not used in the five-week trial. He said he's hearing about the so-called further evidence for the first time, and that the director of public prosecutions should say why that evidence wasn't put before the court. more

IN JAMAICA: Kingsley Cooper, chairman of JEAB sees Funding Troubles For Film - Entertainment Advisory Board Head Points To Industry's Money Issues

Cooper

Published: Monday | April 14, 2014

Kingsley Cooper, chairman of Jamaica's Entertainment Advisory Board, says funding is the greatest challenge that local film producers face, and argues that resurrecting and entering into treaties with foreign governments could advance the sector locally.

A 2001 study presented by Professor Rosalea Hamilton on strategies for employment growth and poverty alleviation revealed that plans were afoot to establish a film fund to facilitate the development of a co-production treaty with Canada.

co-production treaty

Cooper told The Gleaner the failure of Jamaican authorities to find matching funding led to a stillbirth for the project.

"In the end, nothing happened. The proposal was actually for a three-way co-production programme with Canada and the UK," Cooper told The Gleaner.

He revealed that Jamaica is a signatory to a co-production treaty with the UK, which makes the country party to co-production deals with all the countries with which the UK has treaties, including Canada, South Africa and others.

"The challenge is that the proposed co-productions could not be activated unless the Government of Jamaica funded the local end. It cannot be privately funded, and requires a minimum of US$1m. A local governing body also has to be in place. A number of ideas for funding were considered back then, but none bore fruit," Cooper said. more

BERES HAMMOND TO JOIN AIR SUPPLY FOR NEW YORK CONCERT..... at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York, June 29.

Reggae hit machine Beres Hammond will join Australian soft-pop duo Air Supply as headline acts at the annual Groovin' In The Park Concert at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York, June 29.

Hammond, who ignited New York City when he last appeared on Groovin' at Roy Wilkins Park in 2012, is expected to again have his way with music lovers when he belts out favourites like Rockaway, In Love With You,What One Dance Can Do, She Loves Me Now, Step Aside, Double Trouble, and Putting Up Resistance.

Hammond's stellar career was launched in the 1970s with the release ofOne Step Ahead, a blockbuster single which stayed at number one on the charts for 14 weeks. In the '80s, he cemented his name with the smash Tempted to Touch, and subsequent albums Love Affair, Full Attention (1993), In Control (1994), Love From a Distance (1996), A Day In The Life (1998), Music is Life (2011), and One Love One Life(2012), which topped the Billboard reggae chart.

Whenever pop duo Air Supply is mentioned, it is always in superlative, A-list tones. In 2011, they mesmerised music fans at the annual Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, and left music lovers begging for more.

"We are excited about signing the group to perform in Roy Wilkins Park for the very first time," an elated Andrea Bullens, co-producer and executive of Groovin' Inc said.

"Air Supply is a powerful group. Their catalogue of hit songs is impressive. To have a group of their stature share the stage with reggae icon Beres Hammond will be a musical treat for fans. I am confident it will be a fantastic presentation," she added. more

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah : 39 y-o Megan Huntsman Arrested After 7 Dead Babies Found In Utah Garage stuffed in separate cardboard boxes

 AP  | by  BRADY McCOMBS and MARTIN GRIFFITH Posted: 04/13/2014 9:47 pm EDT Updated: 04/14/2014 12:00 am EDT

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah (AP) — A Utah woman accused of killing several babies she gave birth to over 10 years was arrested Sunday after police discovered seven tiny bodies stuffed in separate cardboard boxes in the garage of her former home.

Megan Huntsman was booked into the Utah County
 jail on suspicion of killing six of her newborn
 children over the past decade.
 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

Megan Huntsman, 39, who lived in the Pleasant Grove home until three years ago, had the infants between 1996 and 2006, investigators said.

Neighbors in the middle-class neighborhood of mostly older homes 35 miles south of Salt Lake City say they were shocked by the accusations and perplexed that the woman's older children still living in the home didn't know their mother was pregnant or notice anything suspicious.

Officers responded to a call Saturday from Huntsman's estranged husband about a dead infant at the home, police Capt. Michael Roberts said. Officers then discovered the six other bodies.

Roberts declined to comment on a motive and what Huntsman said during an interview with investigators. He said it wasn't clear if she has an attorney. Huntsman was booked Sunday into the Utah County Jail on six counts of murder. It wasn't immediately clear why there were six counts and not seven.

Family and neighbors identified the estranged husband as Darren West, who has been in prison on drug-related charges. The spokesman said police believe West and Huntsman were together when the babies were born, but West isn't a person of interest at this time.

"We don't believe he had any knowledge of the situation," Roberts told The Associated Press. Asked how the husband could not have known, Roberts replied, "That's the million-dollar question. Amazing."

The babies' bodies were sent to the Utah medical examiner's office for tests, including one to determine the cause of death. DNA samples taken from the suspect and her husband will determine definitively whether the two are the parents, as investigators believe.

Police say West was cleaning out the garage when he made the grisly discovery at the house owned by his parents in a city of about 35,000 people at the foot of snow-capped mountains. It's a nondescript, newer home with a brick facade and a star ornament hanging by the door. Several police cars blocked the entrance to the house Sunday evening as officers milled about with the belongings from the garage strewn across the front lawn. Late Sunday, West's family issued a statement saying they were in a "state of shock and confusion." more

Kingston man, Tyrrell Summerville sets house ablaze as owner sleeps.....stunned into silence when Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey told him that he could, "like Mr Kartel", be sentenced to life imprisonment for his action.

Sunday, April 13, 2014 | 8:21 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man, who admitted to setting ablaze the house of a man who evicted his sister from the premises, has pleaded guilty to a charge of arson.

But the man Tyrrell Summerville and people in the courtroom court, were stunned into silence when Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey told him that he could, "like Mr Kartel", be sentenced to life imprisonment for his action.

Summerville, who is also called Ziggy, reportedly set fire to the Kingston 11 house as the owner and his family slept.

"Why were you trying to burn down the man's house?" Pusey asked.

"Him and my sister had a argument," Summerville answered.

Summerville's sister, who lived at the premises, was given marching orders as a result of “rude behaviour”.

The complainant said in a statement to the police that he was awaken, on the night in question, to the sound of someone calling his name.

He said he looked out the window and saw Summerville but was forced to take cover at the sound of two explosions.

The complainant said that shortly after the explosions he saw a back room occupied by his daughter on fire. A refrigerator, mattress, curtain and a window of the house were burnt in the fire.

Summerville was remanded into custody until Tuesday. more

Racquel Porter

10 Stunning Photos That Prove The Physical World Makes The Best Artistic Inspiration

The Huffington Post  | by  Katherine Brooks Email RSS   Posted: 04/11/2014 1:46 pm EDT Updated: 04/12/2014 11:59 am EDT

This altered image based on
Cinque Terre in Italy.

Every year, Smithsonian Magazine pays tribute to the hypnotic beauty of photography, poring over thousands of images submitted to itsAnnual Photo Contest. This year, editors received over 50,000 snapshots from 132 different countries, submissions that capture the raw and spectacular wonders of the physical world. From abandoned cathedrals to toppling architectural landscapes to portraits of underwater hunters, the scope of visual splendor is almost overwhelming, proving the far reaches of the globe make for the most mesmerizing artistic muses.

These terraced fields
in Vietnam.

Somehow, Smithsonian Magazine has narrowed the list down to 60 finalists, sorted into six categories including The Natural World, Travel, People, Americana, Altered Images and Mobile. It's up to readers to cast their votes to determine the winners of the competition's 11th edition, by submitting a virtual ballot online here. Eager critics have until May 6, 2014 to make their voices heard. In the meantime, catch a glimpse of some of the breathtaking photos in the running below, and check out the rest of the bunch over at Smithsonian Mag's website. more

Careers & Education in JAMAICA: Waterford Primary student excels with assistance from enrichment centre....Books are houses of knowledge and windows to the world. They allow us to expand our minds beyond the known and experience the unimaginable.

Sunday, April 13, 2014    

BOOKS are houses of knowledge and windows to the world. They allow us to expand our minds beyond the known and experience the unimaginable. For Maria Willis, a student entering grade two at Waterford Primary, this was not the case. At age six, Maria was unable to read. Now a confident grade three student, Maria's bursting enthusiasm for reading is tempered solely by her quiet demeanour.

Maria gets a hug from reading
specialist Jasneth Myers.

Reading specialist at Waterford Primary Jasneth Myers recounts that Maria was assessed upon entering grade two and found to be a non-reader. This means she was unable to identify the letters needed to spell her name. Maria has since made remarkable progress with the assistance of the Enrichment Centre established at her school by the Digicel Foundation.

"Maria has displayed such remarkable progress in a short space of time. She is now reading two levels above her grade level," Myers said.

The Enrichment Programme is a literacy initiative implemented by the Digicel Foundation and the Ministry of Education. It aims to increase the level of individualised instruction available to students between grades one and three who are experiencing difficulties in reading. As with Waterford Primary, schools are equipped with reading and writing resources to improve the standards of teaching delivery and student engagement.

Maria recalled some of the activities she enjoyed most during her daily 40- minute sessions in the Enrichment Centre.

"I liked playing games on the computers, learning words and spelling," she said.

"She was very withdrawn at the start of the programme and did not display high self-esteem," Myers said. more

IN JAMAICA: Kingston College, Munro move to debate finals competition.....after they were awarded victory over McGrath High and Glenmuir High respectively.

By KARENA BENNETT Career & Education writer  Sunday, April 13, 2014    

KINGSTON College and Munro College will move on to the Burger King National Schools' Debate competition finals, after they were awarded victory over McGrath High and Glenmuir High respectively.

The semi-finals, which took place last Tuesday at the Limelight Entertainment Complex in Half-Way-Tree, saw Kingston College going up against McGrath High debating the motion, 'This house prefers investment to environmental protection'.

Munroe

According to the judges, Kingston College "had met the burden of proof, had a nuanced approach, was very strategic, and could identify quantifiable benefits from their arguments".

They felt that Kingston College had a good strategy, displayed coherent team work and had a practical approach to the business of development.

However, best speaker was adjudged deputy opposition leader Shanara Bennett of McGrath. Holding the post of prime minister, first speaker of Kingston College Javair Thomas opened the floor with a quote from American author and journalist Napoleon Hill, "Great achievements are usually born of great sacrifice".

KC

He proposed that the government move towards sustainable development, which involves precautionary measures being taken to protect the environment, while making strategic investments that will benefit Jamaica's economy. His arguments were later challenged by opposition leader Timone Walker, who bashed him for failing to carry out his mandate and instead supporting their viewpoint. The opposition argued that as much as they believe economic investments are important, it is within their duty to protect the environment.

She noted that it is simply unwise to prioritise investments over environmental protection, and unless this government changes its narrow-minded approach towards development, this country will never be able to elevate itself from the developmental quagmire it is in.

Kingston College's second speaker Chevaugn Channer fought a hard battle in his response, highlighting the economic benefits that Jamaica could gain from investing. He said that the country is in dire need for investment with the increasing unemployment rate, a sliding dollar and balance of payment problems. He further stated that Jamaica will be mirroring Haiti's economic state if sustainable investment does not take priority over the environment. Channer's arguments were further upheld by his teammate Kevonne Martin, who spoke of benefits such as alleviating the country's crime rate and reducing poverty that could be achieved by investments. "My opponents, it takes cash to care," he said, before quoting popular dancehall artiste Bounty Killer's song 'Anytime mi hungry again dem ago see mi nine'. more

TRACK & FIELD IN JAMAICA: 5 records tumble Tracey, Racers, Calabar among UTech Classic highlights..... RISTANNANA Tracey smashed the women's 400m hurdles record at the UTech Classic and in the process established a world-leading time of 55.64 seconds yesterday.

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, April 13, 2014 

RISTANNANA Tracey smashed the women's 400m hurdles record at the UTech Classic and in the process established a world-leading time of 55.64 seconds yesterday.

Tracey, a former Edwin Allen star, now at Racers Track Club, said her race wasn't perfect but was not surprised by the time, as she lowered Kaliese Spencer's record of 56.32 seconds set in 2009.

Yohan Blake (left) of Racers Track
Club pulls alongside Tyquendo Tracey
 of UTech on the final leg of the men’s
 4x100m relay at the UTech Classic at the
National Stadium yesterday. Racers
won the event in a meet record
38.41 seconds.
 (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

"I felt great about my race. I think I executed fairly well. However, there were parts in my race that I actually messed up, but overall I'm pleased, and yes, I was expecting this time or better, based on training," she told the Jamaica Observer.

Up to press time last evening, five records were broken, one of which was Edwin Allen setting a high school world record of 43.95 seconds in the women's 4x100m relay, though finishing second to MVP, which broke the meet record with 43.31 seconds, a world lead so far this year.

Racers with Kenroy Anderson, Michael Frater, Warren Weir and Yohan Blake lowered the men's equivalent of 38.46 seconds, to 38.41 seconds. Running without Usain Bolt, Blake had to come from behind and catch Tyquendo Tracey of UTech, whose quartet also went below the previous record with 38.42 seconds. MVP were third in 38.91 seconds.

Calabar continued their fine form capturing the high school event in a record time of 40.06 seconds. KC were second in 40.26, ahead of St George's College with 40.79 seconds. St Jago fumbled on the last leg while leading.

Holmwood girls warmed up for the Penn Relays by winning the high school 4x100m in 44.89 seconds ahead of the fast-finishing St Jago with Class Three star Kimone Shaw in 45.53 seconds. more

IN JAMAICA: 17 Guns for freedom Police say....Vybz Kartel offered info on wanted men, arms....CONVICTED entertainer Vybz Kartel told the police the whereabouts of several wanted men in Portmore, St Catherine and provided the authorities with information that led to the recovery of 17 illegal firearms, a highly-placed police source has disclosed....Claims by Police Commissioner of 100 murders?

Sunday, April 13, 2014    

CONVICTED entertainer Vybz Kartel told the police the whereabouts of several wanted men in Portmore, St Catherine and provided the authorities with information that led to the recovery of 17 illegal firearms, a highly-placed police source has disclosed.

The move by the embattled entertainer was part of an effort to gain his freedom, or at least a vastly reduced prison sentence, the police said.

Klansman gang said linked to Gaza murders

The startling revelation came to light during a Jamaica Observer interview with a member of the constabulary's top brass late last week.

"He wanted to meet with the commissioner who assigned a member of the high command to meet him. During the meeting he offered information on wanted men in Portmore and also coughed up a number of illegal firearms. He was trying to broker a deal to get the charges dropped," the source said.

The police said several wanted men were subsequently nabbed.

Kartel along with André St John, Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell and Kahira Jones were all found guilty and slapped with life sentences for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams, who police say was bludgeoned to death at a house in Havendale, St Andrew, on August 16, 2011.

The men will have to serve 35, 30, and 25 years respectively if the Appellate Court throws out their appeals, which will likely be heard in a minimum three years from now, based upon the pace at which such appeals are dealt with.

According to the police source, the artiste made the offer when he realised that the walls were closing in on him, after homicide investigators were sealing up their probe into Williams' murder.

The police also said that Kartel and a funeral director also met with a top-ranking cop after a probe was launched into whether or not Williams' remains were cremated.

Police are also probing the disappearance of funeral home operator Jennifer Edwards, who went missing in January.

The police said evidence was suggesting that Edwards was killed and her body disposed of as she had knowledge of sinister dealings relating to Williams' body.

"We believe she was killed because she was the weak link and she knew too much, but we are still investigating," the source said.

Last Wednesday, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington drew the ire of defence attorney Tom Tavares-Finson when he declared that Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) was the boss of a criminal outfit that was responsible for more than 100 murders.

Tavares-Finson could not be reached for comment on the latest allegation as the Sunday Observer prepared for a press deadline.

The Sunday Observer source went even further and named a well-known gang based in several Spanish Town communities, as the gang that the commissioner was referring to.

"He was very influential in the Klansman gang. That gang used to carry out his killings for him until his Gaza Empire started doing the murders themselves. We have footage of him and a leading Klansman member bragging about the best places to kill people, whether in the church or other places. That Klansman was heard bragging that he shot eight people in a church already," the source said. more

Johnny Depp Subpoenaed in Murder Case

Johnny Depp

4/12/2014 1:00 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Johnny Depp has been dragged into a bizarre criminal case by a lawyer who wants to prove his client is insane. Depp was served with legal docs at his premiere Thursday in Hollywood (above) for his movie, "Transcendence."  And here's why.

Nancy Lekon was driving a limo in downtown L.A.'s Skid Row neighborhood back in 2009 and allegedly mowed down a pedestrian, dragging her for a mile and killing her. 

Lekon has been charged with murder and will stand trial later this month.  She pled not guilty by reason of insanity. As for how her public defender plans to prove she was insane at the time of the killing ... enter Johnny Depp. Lekon told officers at the time of her arrest she was in a relationship with Johnny Depp and was in the area so they could rendezvous.  The public defender now wants to call Johnny to the stand, to show the jury she's delusional. We're assuming Johnny will testify he doesn't know Lekon. more 

JAMAICAN Gov't moves to improve reading skills in primary schools.... allocated $205 million in the 2014/15 budget for programmes....aimed at increasing grades one to three reading fluency skills in 450 targeted primary schools in the Literacy 1-2-3 project.

Saturday, April 12, 2014    

GOVERNMENT has allocated $205 million in the 2014/15 budget for programmes to improve the reading skills of primary school students.

The funds have been provided under a joint project between the Ministry of Education and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed at increasing grades one to three reading fluency skills in 450 targeted primary schools in the Literacy 1-2-3 project.

Students doing GSAT. (File Photo)

For this fiscal year, it is anticipated that under the project, the training of 90 reading coaches working with the 450 project schools will continue. In addition, teachers are to be assisted in the Literacy 1-2-3 curriculum in lesson planning, model lessons, and identifying students for remedial assistance.

It is also expected that Post Grade One Individual Learning Profile Training for Grade One teachers in the Quality Education Circles (QECs) will be conducted. Also, the Early Reading Assessment Instrument (ERAI) will be administered to grade two students in selected schools, while 30 parent places are to be established in Regions 2, 3 and 5 of the Ministry of Education.

Up to February 2014, 90 reading coaches have been trained to administer the ERAI to grade two students in selected project schools islandwide.The ministry said the administration of the ERAI to grade two students was completed in approximately 150 project schools islandwide. more

DJ LADY SAW in ding-dong court battle with helper who was awarded $1.5million for damages....Late last month, Lady Saw filed her notice of appeal

BY PAUL HENRY Co-ordinator — Crime/Court Desk henryp@jamaicaobserver.com  Saturday, April 12, 2014  

DEEJAY Lady Saw has now petitioned the Court of Appeal in an effort to overturn a default judgement in favour of a day's worker who had to be hospitalised for a month after being mauled by dogs at her upper St Andrew home in 2009.

Lady Saw

In October 2012, 64-year-old Dorothy Wilson was awarded $1.5 million with interest by Justice Leighton Pusey during an assessment of damages hearing in the Supreme Court.

But the entertainer, whose given name is Marion Hall, last year had the judgement overturned on the ground that she was not served with documents. Wilson's legal team had contended that proper service had been made.

The court, in setting aside Wilson's judgement, had ordered that Lady Saw file her defence in 14 days, which she didn't. As a result, Wilson went back to court in January and a default judgement was again awarded in her favour. A date is now to be set for a determination on how much damages Lady Saw is to pay.

Late last month, Lady Saw filed her notice of appeal against the second default judgement made against her by Justice Audre Lindo.

"The learned [judge] misdirected herself when she made the order in the absence of the defendant," Lady Saw said in her appeal filed by the law firm DN Ferguson & Associates.

The dancehall entertainer also said in court documents that she was not the true occupier of the premises nor was she the owner of the dogs that attacked Wilson.

On Tuesday, Wilson's attorney, Jacqueline Cummings, of the law firm Archer, Cummings & Company, told the Jamaica Observer that she will be proceeding to secure a date for the assessment of damages hearing despite the appeal being filed. more

Bob Marley grandson, 25 y-o MATTHEW Prendergast, on gun charge.....He is alleged to have pointed a gun at the security guard on April 5, during an altercation at the museum premises. A firearm has not been recovered. Yesterday, Prendergast was offered $200,000 bail

BY PAUL HENRY Co-ordinator — Crime/Court Desk henryp@jamaicaobserver.com  Saturday, April 12, 2014    

MATTHEW Prendergast, the grandson of reggae legend Bob and Rita Marley, has been slapped with a gun charge resulting from an altercation with a security guard at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in St Andrew.

Prendergast, 25, is a musician reportedly based between Miami and Jamaica. He is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and assault at common law.

He is alleged to have pointed a gun at the security guard on April 5, during an altercation at the museum premises.

A firearm has not been recovered.

Yesterday, Prendergast was offered $200,000 bail when he appeared before Justice Martin Gayle in the High Court Division of the Gun Court.

He is to surrender his travel documents as part of his bail condition.

A September 24 date has been set for trial.

During the bail application, his attorney informed the court that there was an altercation but that no firearm was brought into play.

Christian Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer later that Prendergast will be vindicated

at trial.

"We are happy that we were able to get bail today and we are confident that when the matter comes to trial in September that Matthew will be vindicated," said Tavares-Finson.

He is the son of Sharon Marley and FIFA referee instructor Peter Prendergast.

Entertainment: Chronixx tops Billboard’s reggae chart with his latest EP, Dread & Terrible.....Released on April 1, the Dread & Terrible project contains 10 tracks including Alpha & Omega, Here Comes Trouble, Capture Land and Eternal Fire.

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Writer  Saturday, April 12, 2014    

FOR the past three years, reggae singer Chronixx has built an enviable track record. His efforts are paying off as the 'conscious music crusader' is number one on Billboard's Reggae album chart with his latest EP, Dread & Terrible.

Chronixx

Released on April 1, the Dread & Terrible project contains 10 tracks including Alpha & Omega, Here Comes Trouble, Capture Land and Eternal Fire. The set features production work from Phillip 'Winta' James; Lloyd 'John John' James; Chronixx's in house production team, ZincFence Records; Overstand JA Records; and France-based Pierre Bost.

"Dread & Terrible for me is like a state of mind, ideology, whatever is good and pleasant is dread and terrible inna Babylon system. I'm kinda educating the youths about certain realities. Like a wake-up call," Chronixx explained in an interview from his hotel in Spain, where he is in the middle of a 22-date European jaunt.

Dread & Terrible became an instant hit on iTunes reggae charts around the world. It is currently only available digitally. However, vinyl and compact disc editions are to be released shortly.

"We are aiming for everyone to discover the project. It's a collector's thing," said Chronixx.

Born Jamar McNaughton Jr, 22-year-old Chronixx formerly recorded under the name Little Chronicle. He developed a love for songwriting and music from an early age. His father Jamar McNaughton Sr recognised his talents and nurtured his musical aspirations.

A former student of the St Catherine High school in Spanish Town, Chronixx made his professional recording debut in 2003 working with producer Danny Browne. He later provided harmonies on tracks for the likes of gospel artiste Jermaine Edwards and reggae artiste Lutan Fyah.

By the age of 14, he got involved with producing and building riddims, among them the Freezer riddim for Ice Box Records. more

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SCANDALOUS : Jeff Perry: Something Is About To 'Change The Course' Of 'Scandal'

Caribbean Airlines pilots fed up.... JAMAICANS join TRINIDADIAN colleagues in expressing disgust over non-payment of incentives...."The Trinidad pilots presented their letters on Tuesday to the management there, expressing their disgust that they haven't been paid their variable incentive pay from as far back as 2010,"

Friday, April 11, 2014    

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) pilots in Jamaica yesterday joined their colleagues in Trinidad in registering disgust at the company's failure to pay them their full salaries over the past four years.

CAL Pilots

"They went out to the airport today (yesterday) and they issued letters addressed to the chairman, who is stationed in Trinidad, but they delivered them to the general manager here," Gordon Woodstock, executive administrator of the Jamaica Airline Pilots Association, told the Jamaica Observer last night.

"The Trinidad pilots presented their letters on Tuesday to the management there, expressing their disgust that they haven't been paid their variable incentive pay from as far back as 2010," Woodstock added.

The move by the Jamaican pilots, he said, was a show of solidarity and unity with their Trinidadian colleagues, as the variable incentive payments to the Jamaicans have been long outstanding.

Woodstock explained that the incentive, which is a part of the pilots' compensation, has three components — corporate, departmental, and individual — and, when paid in full, works out to 20 per cent of the pilots' salaries.

The corporate component, he said, is paid if the company makes money, the departmental component is disbursed if the department makes money, and the individual component represents "things that each pilot has control of".

"So, you can score on one and lose on two, or score on two and lose on one, or you can score on all three or lose on all three," Woodstock said, adding that in the past when the payments were made they were a year late.

"But they haven't got it for a while. The last time it was paid in Jamaica was for up to September 2012," Woodstock said. more

IN JAMAICA: Four of eight accused 'death squad' cops denied bail for 40 Murders? A death squad in Clarendon are being investigated for unlawfully killing 40 civilians..."I am mindful that INDECOM said they are investigating some 40 cases that these men are linked to. These assertions must not be taken lightly," RM Pusey said.

BY PAUL HENRY Co-ordinator - Crime/Court Desk henryp@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, April 11, 2014    

THE eight policemen allegedly involved in a death squad in Clarendon are being investigated for unlawfully killing 40 civilians, it was revealed in court yesterday, where four of the accused were denied bail.

Senior Corporate Area Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey, in explaining why she would not be giving the four accused men bail, cited the figure from Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) documents submitted to the court.

"I am mindful that INDECOM said they are investigating some 40 cases that these men are linked to. These assertions must not be taken lightly," RM Pusey said.

The magistrate said further that there was evidence that witnesses were "afraid or reluctant" to come forward, and that "the possibility of interference [with witnesses] is massive".

The magistrate, after denying bail for the four Clarendon-based policemen — Sergeant Leeford Gordon and constables Romaine De La Haye, Damon Robinson and Pete Samuels — set a June 23 date for preliminary enquiry into the killings.

The magistrate's decision left the accused cops' colleagues and family members in tears as they left the courtroom in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.

Following the proceedings, attorney Peter Champagnie, who appears for Samuels, told the Jamaica Observer that his client would be appealing Pusey's decision.

"Samuels is a fit and proper person for bail," Champagnie said. The attorney said he would be filing the appeal as soon as he gets the magistrate's written reasons for the denial of bail.

Gordon, De La Haye and Robinson are charged with the murder of Marvin Shand on the night of January 4 at New Longville Park in Clarendon, while Samuels is charged with the May 25, 2011 killing of Sylvester Gallimore. Another police officer, suspected in the killing of Gallimore, has fled the island, the court was told yesterday.

It's alleged that Gordon, De La Haye and Robinson ambushed and shot Shand, who was carrying bags of ground provisions and other items on his head and in his hands.

Allegations are also that a photograph of the dead man's body was found in De La Haye's cellular phone, which supported reports that Shand was travelling with loaded bags and had no weapon.

Yesterday, the defence said that a gun had been recovered from Shand and that the witness, Shand's girlfriend, was in no position to tell if Shand had a gun in his hand when he was shot.

The other four policemen, who are being investigated along with yesterday's four for the extra-judicial killings of 40 civilians are Constable Collis 'Chuckie' Brown, who is facing four counts of murder, conspiracy to murder and wounding with intent; Detective Corporal Kevin Adams, who is charged with four counts of murder; and constables Carl Bucknor and Jerome Whyte, who are both charged with one count of murder. They are to also appear before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on June 23 for the preliminary enquiry.

According to INDECOM Commissioner Terrence Williams, these fatal shootings were initially reported as civilian-on-civilian attacks, but investigations later allegedly uncovered that the killings were done by the police. more