By Barbara Gayle, Staff ReporterREPUTED GANG leader 42-year-old Joel Andem, who was on the police's 'Most Wanted' list until his capture in May this year, appeared under tight security yesterday in the Home Circuit Court where his murder case was set for mention on September 22.
Mrs. Justice Carol Beswick remanded Andem in custody but his lawyer Lloyd Shackleford said yesterday that he was going to make an application in chambers for bail.
Andem appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court last month where it was expected that a preliminary enquiry would be held. However, Director of Public Prosecutions Kent Pantry, Q.C. preferred a Voluntary Bill of Indictment and transferred the case to the Home Circuit Court for trial.
The Crown is alleging that on June 26, 2000 Andem went to 88 Old Hope Road, St. Andrew where he called Lennox French to the gate and shot him dead.
STATEMENTS
Andem's lawyer has not yet received the statements in the case from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court was told that the statements would be given to the lawyer before the next mention date.
Meanwhile, Andem is to be tried in the Gun Court on August 24 on 10 counts of shooting with intent and 10 counts of the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
It was reported that Andem was the leader of the notorious gang known as the Gideon Warriors which operates in the Gordon Town area of east rural St. Andrew.
Andem, who was described by the police over the last four years as the most wanted man in Jamaica, was captured on May 26 this year in Clarksonville, St Ann.
Kenneth Watson, 72, and Denisha Griffiths, 22, of Clarksonville, who were held along with Andem, are facing charges of harbouring a fugitive from justice. Charges were brought against Andem on June 4, the day after he filed a writ of habeas corpus in the Supreme Court seeking his immediate release from custody claiming he was being held illegally.
