By Nagra Plunkett, Staff Reporter WESTERN BUREAU:
A 23-YEAR-OLD man who is believed to be a member of the notorious Gideon Warrior Gang was fatally shot by the police in Hartford, Westmoreland, and a Ruger 9mm pistol with four live rounds taken from him.
Reports are that Marlon Thompson, who was said to be a top lieutenant in the gang led by the now incarcerated Joel Andem, was killed after he allegedly engaged the lawmen in a shoot-out.
The police were on patrol in the Hartford community, where there has been an increase in shootings and robberies. About 2:00 a.m. they heard explosions coming from the direction of a pedal cyclist. He was signalled to stop, but reportedly refused and opened fire at them. The fire was returned and he was shot.
SLAUGHTERING A COW
Information is that the deceased was identified in a video shown on national television, in which members of the Gideon Warriors were seen slaughtering a cow near their Land Lease base in upper St. Andrew.
In other crime reports from western Jamaica, three men have been jailed for the seizure of an illegal firearm - a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and $165,285 in cash during a sting operation at Queen's Street in Montego Bay on Sunday.
Further investigations led the police to Welcome in Hanover and subsequently to an apartment at the Carib Sands Guest House in Ironshore, St. James, where more incriminating evidence was found.
By Barbara Gayle,
Staff Reporter
REPUTED GANG leader, 42-year-old Joel Andem, is to be tried in the Gun Court on November 15 on 10 charges of shooting with intent and 10 charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
The trial date was set yesterday when Andem appeared under tight security in court. He is being represented by attorneys-at-law Richard Small and Lloyd Shackleford.
The charges against Andem were allegedly committed over the past four years when he was on the police 'Most Wanted' list. Most of the complainants are policemen. Andem was captured in Clarksonville, St. Ann, on May 26 this year. Andem is also facing two murder charges.
DOUBLE MURDER CHARGE
He is charged with the murder of Lennox French and 48-year-old gas station operator Sylvia Edwards. French was shot dead at his gate at 88 Old Hope Road, St. Andrew on June 26, 2000. The case has been set for mention in the Home Circuit Court on October 5.
Mrs. Edwards, who lived in Plantation Heights, St. Andrew was kidnapped along Red Hills Road, St. Andrew, on the morning of July 31, 2000. When a demand for a ransom of $200,000 was not met, she was shot several times and buried in a shallow grave at University Heights, Constitution Hill, St. Andrew. Andem is to appear in the Corporate Area Criminal Court on October 8 on that murder charge. The Director of Public Prosecutions will then decide whether a preliminary inquiry will be held or the case sent directly to the Home Circuit Court for trial.
Kenneth Watson, 72, and Denisha Griffiths, 22, of Clarksonville, who were held along with Andem, are facing charges of harbouring a fugitive from justice.
