JAMAICA WORLD RECORD: Female sprint team cops 4X100m in World-leading 42.81 secs....Team of Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart, Anneisha McLaughlin and Tricia Hawthorne

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer  Sunday, April 27, 2014    

(From left) Jamaica’s Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart,
 Anneisha McLaughlin and Tricia Hawthorne wave to
 the crowd while holding their watches after winning
the women’s 4X100m in a World-leading 42.81 seconds
 on yesterday's final day of the 120th Penn Relays Carnival
 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. (PHOTOS/COLLIN REID
 courtesy VMBS & TEAM JAMAICA BICKLE)

PHILADELPHIA, USA — The Jamaican female sprint relay team sent a strong message that they will be hard to beat at next month's inaugural IAAF World Relay Championships in The Bahamas after retaining the event in a World-leading 42.81 seconds on yesterday's final day of the 120th Penn Relays Carnival at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

In a repeat of last year, this was the solitary win for the Jamaicans as they managed two second-place finishes, a third and a fourth place in their other events, despite a large and loud Jamaican contingent in the stands.

With two members of the team that won gold at last year's IAAF World Championships on the first two legs, Carrie Russell and Kerron Stewart, the Jamaican team outclassed the small field with the United States taking second, well back in 43.15 seconds with Trinidad and Tobago third in 43.35 seconds and Brazil fourth in 43.77 seconds.

Anneisha McLaughlin ran the third leg, while Trisha-Ann Hawthorne ran the anchor leg holding off the USA's LaKeisha Lawson to send the pack grandstand here into wild celebrations.

The men's team that included veteran Michael Frater on his customary second leg failed to replicate the success of the females as they were beaten on the line by 100th of a second by the USA team 38.57 seconds to 38.58 seconds, the two fastest times of the year so far.

Jamaica's anchor leg runner Oshane Bailey just failed to get the USA's Walter Dix on the line.

Jason Livermore led off the Jamaican team, handing off to Frater, while Rasheed Dwyer ran the third leg.

Disappointing anchor legs in the women's Sprint Medley and 4x400m Relays cost Jamaica wins as they led after the first three legs.

Natoya Goule was passed on the 800m leg of the SMR by the USA's Ajee Wilson as the Americans won in 3:37.94 minutes to Jamaica's 3:38.41 with the Caribbean All-Stars taking third. more

ST.ANN, JAMAICA: Living in hell! 49 y-o Paula Gayle, a visually-impaired Woman claims life of distress following report against police

BY RENAE DIXON Sunday Observer staff reporter dixonr@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, April 27, 2014    

MOUNT MORIAH, St Ann — A St Ann woman is begging for assistance, following a series of incidents which she said happened to her after she reported a policeman to his colleagues several years ago.

Paula Gayle displays a copy of a written
statement submitted to INDECOM regarding
 things that have been happening to her.
 (PHOTO: GREGORY BENNETT)

Paula Gayle, a visually-impaired resident of this community, said that the dramatic events, which she described as distressing, started eight years ago when she decided to provide the police with information regarding certain illegal activities that she was aware of.

According to Gayle, who is also known as 'Carol' and 'Fatty', following that report, which yielded no success, she faced abuse from both law enforcers and civilians. When the abuse became "excruciating", the woman said that she filed a report against the police, which, to her, was a "life changer", as since doing that, her life has been agonising.

"Mi a go through hell," the 49-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.

The woman said that she reported the matter to all organisations which she thought would have been able to assist, but there has been no improvement in her situation.

Gayle, who was a vendor before the incident, said that the misfortunes in her life started when the police made her the subject of an investigation after she filed her report.

Soon after, criminals stole her car and several items from her house.

The car was found in St Elizabeth, leading her to believe that it was stolen as part of efforts to get her to leave the area. more

Jamaica Expected To grow on average by 1.4 per cent this year Despite Weak Economic Projections For Caribbean Countries.... # IMF #Tourism

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is projecting that economic growth across the Caribbean this year will dip below last year’s pace. 

The IMF is forecasting low economic activities for most countries across the region in 2014. 

In its latest Regional Economic Outlook for the Western Hemisphere, the IMF has projected economic growth of 2.5 per cent for the region in 2014. 

This is down from 2.75 per cent last year. 

The Washington-based financial institution says construction activities in the Caribbean appear to have bottomed out while tourist arrivals and spending have continued to underperform in most countries. 

However, it says tourism-dependent economies like Jamaica are expected to grow on average by 1.4 per cent this year. 

The IMF says reducing high public debt levels remains a key challenge in much of the Caribbean along with efforts to address long-standing competitiveness problems, notably in tourism-dependent economies. more

IN JAMAICA: Dudus 'Money' Disappears! (FID) has so far found only bank accounts with just over US$300,000 (J$33 million).....The gross proceeds from the distribution of those narcotics is well in excess of US$1,500,000," ( approx. JA$165 Million) argued the prosecution.

The Gleaner Published: Sunday | April 27, 2014

Investigators find only a fraction of the wealth that the Tivoli don was supposed to have amassed

After digging for almost four years, local investigators have found very few assets that can be traced to convicted drug dealer Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

One of the houses initially reported as owned by 'Dudus'.

Despite Coke's reputed enormous wealth and his control of what is believed to be one of the largest illegal drug operations out of Jamaica, the Financial Investigations Division (FID) has so far found only bank accounts with just over US$300,000 (J$33 million).

"He was a very smart organised crime boss in terms of how he held his assets ... not directly in his name," one senior FID investigator told The Sunday Gleaner last week.

Chief Technical Director of the FID, Justin Felice, also confirmed that the investigators had found no proof of a $30-million mansion in Plantation Heights, St Andrew, owned by Coke.

According to Felice, they have found no evidence that the convicted crime boss owned any real estate, motor vehicles, or other assets.

Dudus Coke

However, Felice said the FID is going ahead with forfeiture proceedings in the Jamaican courts to have the money in his bank accounts turned over to the State.

Felice also admitted that the investigation has been "extremely complex and challenging" in light of the fact that Coke had legitimate income through businesses that he operated.

To underscore this, principal director of the FID, Albert Stephens, pointed out that the agency was forced by the courts to return millions of dollars in assets that were in the name of Coke's mother, who is now deceased; his girlfriend; and one of his companies, Incomparable Enterprise Limited.

Without pointing fingers, Felice lamented that the probe had been affected by the absence of timely critical information.

"If we would have been provided with better-quality information in a more timely manner, I think FID could have made more of an impact in seizing and restraining assets," the FID boss said.

Before his arrest and extradition in 2010, Coke lived a lifestyle reflecting wealth, spending lavishly at social events, and, based on the word of residents of west Kingston, giving generously to those around him.

But the source of the wealth has never been explained nor has anyone been able to quantify just how much the former strongman was worth.

Publicly, his company, Presidential Click, staged a number of successful stage shows, parties, and adult and children's treats.

He was also a director of Incomparable Enterprise, a company that received many lucrative government and private contracts.

It was alleged that he was the owner of at least two multimillion-dollar houses and several high-priced motor vehicles.

In the aftermath of Coke's guilty plea and 23-year prison sentence in the United States, the Americans have indicated that they will be going after his assets to collect the US$1.5 million (J$130 million) that district judge Robert Patterson ordered him to pay over to the State.

Patterson agreed with the prosecutors that the money should be forfeited based on the criminal conduct that Coke admitted to in connection with his guilty plea.

"In connection with his guilty plea, Coke admitted to trafficking in over 3,000 kilograms of marijuana and l5 kilograms of cocaine in the United States ... . Utilising even the most conservative wholesale values for those narcotics - US$200 per pound of marijuana and US$15,000 per kilogram of cocaine - the gross proceeds from the distribution of those narcotics is well in excess of US$1,500,000," argued the prosecution. more

WOW! Accused Racist, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling To Receive NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award in May, according to the organization's website...."It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people,"

Donald Sterling

Donald Sterling, the Los Angeles Clippers owner who was reportedly caught on tape making racist comments to his girlfriend, is set to receive a lifetime achievement award from the NAACP in May, according to the organization's website.

TMZ released audio on Friday night that included Sterling telling his girlfriend, V. Stiviano, that he does not want her to bring black people to Clippers games or pose with black people for pictures on Instagram.

"It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people," he is heard saying. "Do you have to?"

Sterling and the Clippers later released a statement to TMZ, saying, of the tape, "we do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered."

As Deadspin noted, this isn't the first time the NAACP has recognized Sterling -- or that it's been guilty of poor timing. In 2009, Sterling received a prior Lifetime Achievement Award, just after ex-Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor filed a lawsuit against the NBA, the Clippers, and Sterling, alleging racial discrimination during his tenure. more

LeBron James of the Miami Heat Has Strong Words For Clippers Owner, Donald Sterling Amid Alleged Racist Comments....."there is no room for Donald Sterling in our league."....The four-time NBA MVP also said he even contemplated not playing. "I kind of wavered back and forth whether I would actually sit out. #Racist #Race Relations #Magic Johnson #NBA

Miami Heat superstar LeBron James had some strong words for Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was allegedly caught on tape making racist comments to his girlfriend. According to an audio recording obtained by TMZ, Sterling told his girlfriend, V. Stiviano, that he doesn't want her to bring black people to games.

Lebron James

Before taking on the Charlotte Bobcats in Game 3 of Miami's first-round playoff series, James said that if the report is true, then "there is no room for Donald Sterling in our league."

"It’s unacceptable and as a commissioner in our league, they have to make a stand, and they have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it’s going to be, but you just can’t have that in our league," James said, via the Miami Herald. The four-time NBA MVP also said he even contemplated not playing. "I kind of wavered back and forth whether I would actually sit out. If our owner would come out and say the things that he said, I would really have to sit down with my teammates, talk to my family because at the end of the day, our family, and our teammates are way more important than that."

James also wondered aloud what would happened to a player "came out and said something of that stature" and called on NBA commissioner Adam Silver to "do something very fast and quickly before this really gets out of hand."

LeBron was not alone. TNT analyst and former NBA star Charles Barkley said Silver"suspend [Sterling] and fine him immediately." Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson described Sterling's alleged remarks as a "black eye for the NBA." more

L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling: ‘Don’t Bring Black People To My Games’ “I’m just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.” Sterling’s girlfriend, V. Stiviano, is Black and Mexican. (LISTEN AUDIO)

Clippers Owner Donald Sterling to GF - Don't Bring Black People to My Games, Including Magic Johnson - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe

Apr 26, 2014 By NewsOne Staff

L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been captured on tape going on a racist rant against Black people after his bi-racial girlfriend posted pictures of her and Black people on Instagram, reports TMZ.

Sterling’s girlfriend, V. Stiviano, who is Black and Mexican, posted a picture of herself with Magic Johnson, prompting Sterling to say that she was embarrassing him. He told Stiviano that she was supposed to be a “delicate” Latina and that he preferred not to think about her Blackness. He also told his girlfriend, who said that she could not be racist in her heart, that he does not want her to acknowledge Black people publicly. 

Read more from TMZ:

– “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” (3:30) 

– “You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want.  The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.” (5:15)

– “I’m just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.” (7:45)

– “…Don’t put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me.  And don’t bring him to my games.” (9:13)

Magic Johnson called Sterling’s remarks a “shame.”

“It’s a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans,” Johnson told TMZ.

“He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base.” more

IN JAMAICA: 41-year-old Michael McLean Charged With Arranging Three Murders including a cop From Prison.....McLean has been in custody since 2006 in connection with the murders of six members of a family in Duhaney Pen, St Thomas.

 Published: Saturday | April 26, 2014 The Gleaner

A man who is accused of orchestrating, from behind bars, the murders of three people, including a policeman, appeared in the Home Circuit Court yesterday.

He is 41-year-old Michael McLean, who is charged jointly with three others. McLean and his co-accused - Melville McIntosh, Sashkia Sammon, and Brenda Shaw - are to return to court on June 6 as there were outstanding documents to be served on the defence.

Allegations are that in 2010, McLean ordered the killing of Constable Otis Barrett, who was shot and killed in Linstead, St Catherine, on September 19, 2010.

Barrett was attached to Mobile Reserve.

More than a month later, Evian Marsden and Michelle Fisher, who were of a Western Park address in Clarendon, were found dead on Pennant Terrace, off Red Hills Road in St Andrew, on October 25, 2010.

They were killed execution-style.

The police said their murders were linked to the cop's murder.

The police said they used a cell phone reportedly found in McLean's possession at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre to link him to the crimes.

McLean has been in custody since 2006 in connection with the murders of six members of a family in Duhaney Pen, St Thomas.

No trial date has been set in the matter.

IN JAMAICA: Mr Killa causes ‘pandemonium’ despite heavyweights like Machel Montano and Shaggy......"It was wicked. I looked out into the crowd and saw everyone's mouth was open,"

BY RORY DALEY Observer writer daleyr@jamaicaobserver.com  Saturday, April 26, 2014   

Despite heavyweights like Machel Montano and Shaggy, it was Mr Killa's performance that left the audience in awe at Pandemonium held at the LIME Golf Academy in New Kingston on Thursday night.

"It was wicked. I looked out into the crowd and saw everyone's mouth was open," Mr Killa told the Jamaica Observer.

Revellers enjoying the moment

The Rolly Polly singer enhanced his ode to plump women by inviting the 'rolliest of pollys' on to the stage after putting on an energetic dancing display. Unable to find what he termed as a 'Category Five' female, he settled for a Category One and showed fans he was able to replicate his moves in his music video. His continuous display of fitness and 'bravery' had the audience cheering through his performance.

One of Pandemonium's organisers, Orville 'Shaggy' Burrell, said the two-year-old festival has grown.

"I'm happy. We had a bigger turnout despite moving to Thursday, and even though the next day is a work day the energy was unbelievable," he said.

The international recording artiste said the date shift in this year's staging was done to avoid clashes with other established Carnival events.

Montano & Shaggy on stage

"I believe we can all co-exist and the plan is to expand the brand," Burrell said.

Pandemonium offers a blend of reggae and soca. Patrons responded well to opening act Machel Montano, especially the female fans. He rolled through his string of hits including Possessed, Mr Fete, Junction and She Coming before being eventually joined on stage by the lovely Patrice Roberts, who did A Little Wine. Farmer Nappy got in on the action next with Big People Party. more

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Tony Rebel in legal showdown.....The May 7th hearing could result in Rebel having to shell out millions

BY PAUL HENRY Co-ordinator — Crime/Court Desk henryp@jamaicaobserver.com  Saturday, April 26, 2014    

SINGER Tony Rebel will face a critical hearing in the Supreme Court in downtown Kington early next month. The May 7 hearing could result in Rebel having to shell out millions to a composer who claims that the artiste infringed his copyright.

However, if Rebel is successful, he would be allowed to contest the multimillion-dollar lawsuit brought against him by music composer Jah Wayne.

TONY REBEL

Garth McBean, the attorney representing Tony Rebel, told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that all the relevant documents for the hearing have been filed and that they are "ready to rumble".

Jah Wayne, whose given name is Wayne Lattibeaudiere, is suing Tony Rebel and his company Flame Production Incorporation Limited for breach of copyright in relation to the composition of the Going Home rhythm that was released by Tony Rebel under the title La La Bella.

One of the songs recorded on the rhythm is Ghetto People Song performed by Tony Rebel, whose given name is Patrick Barrett.

Wayne is claiming that he was the composer and without this authorisation, Rebel caused the rhythm to be broadcasted, distributed, sold/published without identifying him as the composer.

In his claim, Wayne is asking the court to rule that he is the composer and owner of the copyright of the musical composition. He is also asking for an order that the defendant publish in newspaper, locally and overseas, that he is the composer.

But Rebel has denied the claim and is contending that he created the rhythm.

The matter went to trial in March but took a dramatic turn, days into the proceedings, when it was discovered that Rebel's defence had been struck out from 2006 because his attorney at the time, who is now deceased, had filed a witness statement late. more

Anthony Allen, a 7-foot-1-inch junior college centre, Jamaican-born junior college centre signs with Oklahoma State

Friday, April 25, 2014 | 1:11 PM 

OKLAHOMA, United States (AP) — A 7-foot-1-inch junior college centre has signed to play basketball at Oklahoma State.

OSU head coach Travis Ford says Anthony Allen has signed with the Cowboys and has two years of eligibility remaining.

Allen comes to OSU from Lamar State College-Port Arthur in Texas where he averaged 11 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.2 blocked shots per game last season.

Allen chose OSU over Oklahoma and Memphis.

Allen is originally from Kingston, Jamaica and played high school basketball in Connecticut.

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Two Monkeys Do Same Work, But Watch What Happens When One Gets Better Pay. #PALAS #RulaBrownNetwork

Two Monkeys Do Same Work, But Watch What Happens When One Gets Better Pay. #PALAS #RulaBrownNetwork......Dr. Frans de Waal is a biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. Here’s a clip from Ted Talk where he shows what happens when two capuchin monkeys get paid differently for equal tasks.

We don’t like seeing monkeys in cages, but we thought this was really funny!

Vybz Kartel juror, Livingston Cain, a 50-year-old football coach of Stony Hill in St Andrew returns to court May 30.....Cain is accused of offering the jury foreman in the Kartel murder trial $500,000 for a not-guilty verdict.

 Friday, April 25, 2014    

THE juror who allegedly tried to bribe his fellow jurors in the Vybz Kartel murder trial in return for a not-guilty verdict, is scheduled to return to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on May 30.

Livingston Cain, the juror accused of attempting
to bribe fellow jurors in the Vybz Kartel murder trial,
leaves the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s
 Court with his lawyer Dian Watson, yesterday.
 (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

Livingston Cain, a 50-year-old football coach of Stony Hill in St Andrew, is charged with one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and five counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

When the matter came up for mention in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn asked that the Crown be given a further three weeks to try and facilitate a request from the lawyer of the accused, Dian Watson. She had requested that the Crown hand over the accused man's phone — from which evidence was allegedly collected — for it to be examined by an expert.

As a result the matter was rescheduled and Cain's bail was extended by Resident Magistrate Lorna Shelly Williams.

Cain is accused of offering the jury foreman in the Kartel murder trial $500,000 for a not-guilty verdict. It is also alleged that he told another juror that he would "take care of him" if he returned a not-guilty verdict, as well.

Cain was the only juror to vote not guilty in the conviction of Vybz Kartel (Adidja Palmer), Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones. A fifth man, Shane Williams, was acquitted.

IN JAMAICA:Medical Doctor Jephthah Ford on $1-million bail...to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Allegedly caught on camera trying to bribe a policeman, offering him 40 per cent of approximately $60 million that was seized from two Surinamese nationals.

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, April 25, 2014   

 MEDICAL doctor Jephthah Ford was yesterday offered bail in the sum of $1 million when he appeared in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate's Court to answer to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The court was told that the prominent doctor was allegedly caught on camera trying to bribe a policeman, offering him 40 per cent of approximately $60 million that was seized from two Surinamese nationals.

FORD… returns to court May 9

The doctor, the court heard, allegedly contacted the policeman a day before the foreigners were taken before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court and promised to give him the funds if he decided against taking the men to court and returned the money to them.

It was alleged that Dr Ford first offered the policeman 25 per cent of the money, but after he gave the policeman a chance to determine how much he wanted, settled at 40 per cent, when the cop reportedly suggested 50 per cent.

The money was seized from Gene Roshen Daniels and Reingoud Mackel Murvin on April 7 when police in Half-Way-Tree stopped and searched the vehicle in which they were travelling and two bags containing US$533,281 and J$1.3 million were allegedly found.

The men's hotel room was later searched and 55 Surinamese dollars, along with US$3,000, and J$700 reportedly found.

According to court documents, the men had received an anonymous telephone call to pick up the money at the hotel and to deliver it to someone they did not know. They were subsequently charged with possession of criminal property and conspiracy to possess criminal property. They were freed of the charges when they appeared in court on April 15. more

DEM TINGS YAH THE CHURCH PEOPLE DEM A DO DWL.... THIS IS A MUST WATCH

Post by Yaadhustletv.

IN JAMAICA: ‘Withdraw the tax’ Andrew Holness warns Gov’t, says Opposition will resist transaction tariff.....concerned that the tax would open the door to other "brazen and thoughtless tax impositions under the guise of passing some IMF test.

BY BALFORD HENRY Senior staff reporter balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, April 25, 2014    

Andrew Holness yesterday told the Government that its intention to introduce the new financial transactions tax was a point of departure between the Administration and the Opposition, and advised the prime minister to withdraw it.

Andrew Holness

"Prime Minister, withdraw the tax, or else," Holness told Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller across the aisle as he made his contribution to the 2014/15 budget debate at Gordon House.

Holness said that the Opposition was concerned that the tax would open the door to other "brazen and thoughtless tax impositions under the guise of passing some IMF test.

"It would be irresponsible of the Opposition to merely say we oppose the tax. We will resist the tax. This is now a point of departure," he said.

"Prime Minister, you claim to be looking out for the interest of the poor and vulnerable. In today's Jamaica, the poor and vulnerable use banks and ATMs. Remember, they have to cash their PATH cheques; they have to take their remittances from accounts they were encouraged to open," he insisted.

But, while the opposition leader was giving his warning inside the Parliament, there was speculation outside that the Government may be softening its position on imposing the controversial tax measure, which will affect consumers' withdrawals from deposit-taking institutions through electronic banking, point-of-sale transactions (debit/credit cards), cheques, Internet transfers and transactions involving ABMs/ATMs. more

IN JAMAICA: Extortion War: Cops Fortify Special Unit, Eye New Tactics To Cripple Criminals.

Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers

Published: Thursday | April 24, 2014

At least a dozen police personnel are being summoned to an anti-extortion unit within the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), which yesterday reported that the criminal practice is burgeoning in major towns.

The additional police personnel will bolster the output of the anti-extortion unit.

They will increase the unit's numbers from "in the teens" to a desired 25-30 members, offered Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers, OCID's head, yesterday.

"What we are doing is expanding the unit to better inform and advise the investigators about investigating methodology, the new means and ways through which persons are extorting individuals out there, and to empower them to build a more cogent case to take to court," Chambers told The Gleaner in an interview at the OCID headquarters in downtown Kingston.

"Part of the recruitment is moving persons from other units here at OCID to that unit, and we are also looking at good, capable, bright [outside] persons who can also join the unit," he said, explaining that new recruits would receive on-the-job training from senior investigators at the division.

The training, he said, would include case analyses, sensitisation of a new extortion investigation manual, best practices to observe when dealing with extortion, and practical street training..... more

IN JAMAICA: Brothers Voldon and Roshawn Ricketts, in 42-year-old businessman's Orell Henry murder remanded. The brothers are charged along with 20-year-old Tivon Wallace

Thursday, April 24, 2014 with Tanesha Mundle    

TWO brothers implicated in the murder of a businessman last December were on Tuesday remanded in custody when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Voldon and Roshawn Ricketts are both charged with murder and conspiracy to murder in relation to the stabbing death of 42-year-old businessman Orell Henry of Pleasant Valley in St Andrew.

The brothers are charged along with 20-year-old Tivon Wallace, who was reportedly involved in a relationship with the now deceased man. It is alleged that all three men conspired to rob and kill the businessman.

Henry, hours before his death, was reportedly last seen in the company of Wallace, who was a frequent visitor at the home. Wallace and another man were allegedly seen speeding away from the premises in Henry's Chevrolet Avalanche shortly before Henry's body was found.

Items belonging to Henry, including the Chevrolet Avalanche and a licensed firearm, were reportedly missing from his house. However, the truck was later found abandoned in Stony Hill, St Andrew.

It is alleged that on December 14, about 8:05 pm, Wallace used Henry's phone to call Henry's brother, who was also living at the premises and told him, "Mr Orell say yuh must not come home early 'cause we a go out." more

READY FOR JAIL IN TRINIDAD: Mom who beat 12-year-old daughter on Facebook will do anything to set her child right ...Girl says sorry for bringing shame to family

By Michelle Loubon

Story Created: Apr 23, 2014 at 11:43 PM ECT

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2014 at 5:49 AM ECT 

In the aftermath of the posting of a video on Facebook showing her beating her 12-year-old daughter, Point Fortin mother Helen Bartlett says she is “prepared to go to jail” to set her child on the right path. 
The mother of four yesterday said her daughter was her “problem child” who might be “acting out” because of neglect on her father’s part.
Bartlett made these statements during a radio interview with journalists Dale Enoch and Tony Lee on i95.5 FM yesterday morning. They shared data which revealed about 72 per cent of the respondents support her action, while 28 per cent did not agree with the mode of discipline. 
Bartlett’s elder daughter and the 12-year-old “problem child” have since posted a counter video in support of their mother. They both said she was a good mother who just wanted what was best for her childr­en.
Bartlett’s action has sparked debate over whether she was engaging in discipline or child abuse. 
Asked if she had any regrets, Bartlett said: “No. I don’t have any regrets on the discipline, but on the views of the wider nation.” 
On the question of support, Bart­lett said: “I am getting support. And I have support from my family and from her. The child is supporting me, too.” 
Asked what could have triggered such a severe beating, she said: “She has been my problem child. You know they say in every family, there is a problem child. I have been talking to her. I have tried nume­rous methods. I have even tried to get counselling.”
Amid the chorus of condemnation, Bartlett said she was yet to hear from the child’s father—a police­man. 
She said: “I am yet to hear where is the father? I am yet to get a phone call from him. The video has gone viral. She is crying out for her father. And I am yet to see him. The video went out on Sunday. And today is Wednesday. I am doing this on my own.”
Asked if there was any communication between the child and her father, Bartlett said: “He is blatantly telling her he does not want to have anything to do with her. She just has this attachment to her dad. I believe she started acting out after the separation. She was very close to him. After the separation, that is when the problem started.” 
Bartlett said “the danger... boys like sharks on foot... was even greater” since the girl started secon­dary school. more

Jamaica Reggae Girlz: House of Marley spearheads initiative to raise US$10,000 for Girlz.....Jamaica will compete in a series of matches June 18 to 22 in the Dominican Republic.

Thursday, April 24, 2014 Jamaica Observer   

HOUSE of Marley, maker of high-quality consumer electronics inspired by the life and music of Bob Marley, has initiated a programme to support the Jamaica Reggae Girlz' current fund-raising campaign which will be hosted on the crowd-funding site GoFundMe, it was announced on Friday.

Cedella Marley (seated at centre) with officials of the JFF
 and players of the senior Reggae Girlz at a function to
officially present the daughter of late reggae king Bob Marley
 as the global ambassador of Jamaica’s women’s
programme at the JFF offices recently.
 (OBSERVER FILE PHOTO)

When individual donors go to www.gofundme.com/jamaicawomensfootball and mention House of Marley in the comments section of their donation, the company will match the amount until a cap of US$5,000 (J$550,000) is reached.

Daughter of the late reggae king and newly appointed ambassador of Jamaica's women's football programme, Cedella Marley, said that giving back is a core element of House of Marley's mission.

"The House of Marley is a living brand. It's about equality, freedom and charity. It's about giving back and doing the right thing. Joining this campaign for our Jamaica Reggae Girlz shows they also have integrity and I thank them for the support," said the CEO of the Marley Group of Companies.

The Reggae Girlz are preparing to participate in the inaugural Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women's Caribbean Cup, which will begin with first-round qualifications in May and June. Jamaica will compete in a series of matches June 18 to 22 in the Dominican Republic.

The CFU tournament will serve as the official qualification for the Caribbean Zone for both the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. more

KINGSTON, Jamaica : 2014 Penn Relays programme-cover celebrates 50 years of JAMAICAN high schools competing

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 4:51 PM by Gavay Watt 

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The cover of the programme for the 2014 Penn Relays pays tribute to Jamaican High Schools as they celebrate 50 years of competing at the relay carnival now in its 120th staging.

(Photo: Facebook)

The programme cover has two photos showing the first Jamaican high school team, Kingston College, competing at the event in 1964, and last year’s photo finish in the high school boys’ 4 x 400m relay between Javon ‘Donkey Man’ Francis of Calabar and Delano Williams of Munro College. 

In an article on the University of Pennsylvania website, http://www.upenn.edu/ by Maria Zankey, director of the relays, Dave Johnson in speaking to the 50th anniversary of Jamaican high schools competing at the event states, “the inspiration came from Herb McKenley, a great Jamaican quarter-miler who ran at the Relays in ‘46 and ‘47, and later went back to [Kingston, Jamaica] to coach at Calabar High School. He was able to convince the Jamaican high school authorities to send a team to [the Relays.] The team came here that year and won the 440-yard relay.”

This year’s event runs from Thursday, April 24, to Saturday, April 26 and has more than 18,000 competitors from more than 60 countries participating in 425 events. more

Film on Bob’s rise to fame in the works.... about the international rise of reggae legend Bob Marley and his Wailers band is reportedly in the works....Titled Buffalo Soldiers (the name of one of Marley's songs) it will be distributed by Mandalay Pictures

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 3:21 PM  

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A film about the international rise of reggae legend Bob Marley and his Wailers band is reportedly in the works, according to the website, indiewire.com.

Titled Buffalo Soldiers (the name of one of Marley's songs) it will be distributed by Mandalay Pictures, with writer Barry Morrow (Rain Man) and producer Cathy Schulman (Crash) reportedly assigned to the project.

According to indiewire.com, the film traces Marley and the Wailers' emergence from the rugged Kingston community of Trench Town in the 1960s, to super-stardom a decade later.

There are no production details (budget, cast) on the project, or if it has been endorsed by the Marley family who have long touted a film about its patriarch who died in May 1981 from cancer at age 36.

At one stage, A-list Hollywood director Martin Scorsese was rumoured to be in the running to oversee the biopic but that fell through.

Two years ago, Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) released his acclaimed documentary Marley, which revived speculation that a film on the singer/songwriter was not far off.???