Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

A seven-member jury was empanelled yesterday to determine whether 31-year-old security guard Jeffrey Perry who is charged with the murder of three children at Kilancholy, St. Mary is fit to plead.

The jury was selected following an application made by defence lawyers Litton Gordon and Caroline McFarlane as a result of the difference in some aspects of the conclusions arrived at by three psychiatrists in relation to Perry.

Dr. Herbert Wieder, an American psychiatrist who has been working in Jamaica since 1973 said he interviewed Perry on July 6 and September 19 last year. He said he came to the conclusion that Perry was not capable of following evidence at his trial.

Not curable

He said Perry was schizophrenic and that was not curable. He said also that Perry was suffering from chronic psychosis. Dr. Wieder said Perry was suffering from hallucinations and chronic depression. He said further that Perry "suffers from delusions of Satan and God battling for control of his mind and sometimes God loses."

The doctor said that Perry said he was commanded by God to kill the children.

During cross-examination, Lisa Palmer, acting senior deputy director of public prosecutions asked Dr. Wieder if he would be surprised that Perry said he told him no such thing.

In response, Dr. Wieder said "I would not be surprised because I got the (psychiatric) report that was submitted by your side."

The hearing continues today before Miss Justice Kay Beckford and the jury in the Home Circuit Court.

It is being alleged that Perry who is a cousin of the children fatally stabbed them on January 28, 2005. The deceased are 15-year-old Dwane Davidson, 13-year-old Sue Ann Gordon and four-year-old Shadice Williams.