By Omar Anderson, Staff ReporterTHE WEST Kingston Commission of Enquiry has aborted planned hearings in Portland and St. Elizabeth, because no one has come forward with any statement or written submission regarding the July 7-10 West Kingston gun violence and its impact on other communities.
Commission's Chairman Justice Julius Isaac yesterday scrapped the rural hearings, after officials at the enquiry told him no statement or submission had been submitted since the Commission placed an advertisement in The Gleaner more than two weeks ago.
The hearings were to have begun in Black River, St. Elizabeth at 10 a.m. on January 14, and continue at the same time in Port Antonio on January 16.
According to the ad, the Commission would have been looking at the causes and circumstances responsible for the loss of lives and the setting up of roadblocks and other forms of disruption in several communities throughout Jamaica. It added that focus would have also been placed on evidence involving the cause and circumstances relating to the upsurge of criminal violence in the affected communities, including the presence and/or use of illegal weapons, ammunition and narcotic drugs.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Ronald Facey, head of the Police Telecommunication Division, was briefly cross-examined yesterday by attorney-at-law Ian Ramsay Q.C., representing the police and Norma Linton Q.C., representing the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), about access to police radio by civilians and members of the force.
The sitting was adjourned for 90 minutes, after the superintendent said he was unable to speak authoritatively on a transcript of radio transmissions containing alleged death threats made against Opposition Leader, Edward Seaga, on July 7.
According to the superintendent, the transmissions were recorded on a tape by two of his juniors, one of whom, Corporal Rohan Elliott, was present at the hearing. During the adjournment, the Commissioners met with Commission's Counsel Velma Hylton and all the lawyers.
The hearing was adjourned until Monday when four policemen are expected to testify about entries made in the police diary.
