Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter
Jamaica Defence Force soldiers hop into a truck in the precincts of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston yesterday as part of a massive security presence that was maintained for the expected sentencing of Donald 'Zekes' Phipps. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE PRECINCTS of the Supreme Court were transformed into a war zone yesterday as security forces swooped down ahead of the expected sentencing of well-known Matthews Lane area leader Donald 'Zekes' Phipps.
Sentencing was, however, put off until May 30, much to the disappointment of some policemen and passers-by, drawn by the intrigue, who stopped to find out the double-murder sentence.
Shortly after Phipps, 48, appeared in the Home Circuit Court under tight security, Senior Deputy Director of Public Prose-cutions Paula Llewellyn informed the court that Justice Horace Marsh was unavailable.
Justice Marsh, who presided at the trial, has been acting on the Court of Appeal Bench since last month .
The adjournment was granted by Justice Basil Reid.
Yesterday was the second time that an adjournment was granted. On the first occasion, defence lawyers asked for an adjournment to call character witnesses.
Phipps was convicted in the Home Circuit Court last month of the murder of Rodney Leroy Farquharson and Dayton Williams, both of Bayshore Park, east Kingston.
The burnt bodies with gunshot wounds to the heads were found in an open lot on Rose Lane, downtown Kingston, on April 15, last year.
Defence lawyers Lloyd McFarlane and Valerie Neita Robertson voiced disapproval yesterday with the strong presence of soldiers and police. They told the court that there was no need for a military zone or for an army tank to be parked so close to the courthouse, arguing that only served to intimidate citizens.
In response to the criticisms, Ms. Llewellyn said she was speaking on behalf of the State when she declared that a similar security presence would be on hand come May 30.
A V150 armoured car was parked at the intersection of Temple Lane and Barry Street, a few feet from the courthouse. There were no spectators in the vicinity of the courthouse.
