Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

Mandeville, Manchester

Amid what one policeman labelled "the tightest security he has seen in a long time", three of the persons taken into custody in connection with the disappearance of Mandeville couple Richard and Julia Lyn appeared in the Mandeville Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The more than 1,000 persons who gathered at the courthouse to get a glimpse of the accused were in no mood for delayed justice as some offered to carry out their own brand of immediate punishment.

The three accused are Lennox Swaby, his mother Julia White and Kevin Powell, all of Hopeton district in the parish. Mr. Swaby, in his early 20s, is charged with illegal possession of ammunition, housebreaking and illegal possession of property, while his mother is facing charges of illegal possession of ammunition and larceny.

Ammo and stolen goods

The charges arose out of the police finding several rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of goods believed to have been stolen, including some from the home of the Lyns, at a house in Hopeton district where they reside. Mr. Powell, who directed the police to two bodies believed to be those of the missing couple, at the Martins Hill Dump last week, is charged with unlawful possession of property.

Ms. White was represented by attorney Norman Godfrey while Mr. Powell and Mr. Swaby were without representation. All three pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in custody to return to court on January 17.

A source close to the investigation told The Gleaner that Swaby, who is believed to be the mastermind in the abduction of the Lyns, and his mother, a domestic helper, both worked for the couple at some point.

The police are awaiting the results of DNA tests on the two recovered bodies to confirm whether they are the remains of the Lyns. In the meantime, a fourth person, Joel Boothe, the son of a former policeman, has also been taken into custody in connection with the case. The police have not released much information on how he is connected to the case. However, they have stated that he was seen driving the Lyns' RAV4 sports utility vehicle after they disappeared.