Klansman Gang trial: Detective describes two guns found in JUTC driver's car
A Clarendon detective testified about finding two firearms hidden in a vehicle linked to former JUTC driver Charles McLeary, one of 25 men on trial for Klansman Gang offences.
Two firearms uncovered in dashboard cavity, court hears
A Clarendon police detective testified Thursday that he found two concealed firearms inside a vehicle driven by former Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus driver Charles McLeary, the Jamaica Observer reports. McLeary is one of 25 men currently on trial for offences allegedly carried out by the Tesha Miller faction of the Klansman Gang.
The vehicle in question — a 2011 Honda Stream — was one of two cars seized following the arrest of five alleged gang members on Friday, June 26, 2020, after a highway chase. The five accused, Bjourn Thomas, Sharn Gilzene, Conroy Cadogan, McLeary, and Kemar Francis, are alleged by prosecutors to have "knowingly facilitated the commission of a serious offence to wit the murder of Jermaine Jones and Allen Cameron" in John's Hall, Clarendon, on the same day.
The detective sergeant gave his testimony before the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston as part of the ongoing trial.
Search conducted under accused's gaze
The officer told the court that on Sunday, June 28, 2020, he was introduced to McLeary — then 40 years old and a resident of Portmore, St Catherine — and to Thomas, an unemployed resident of Spanish Town, at the May Pen Police Station. Accompanied by three other officers and the two accused, he proceeded to examine the sealed vehicles parked on the station compound.
Focusing on McLeary's Honda Stream, the detective partially detached the glove compartment and reached into the dashboard cavity near the air conditioner's air filter. There, he said, he observed "what looked like the base of a magazine and a pistol with a grip." He told the court he immediately "shouted out 'Find!'" and directed attention to the objects.
He ensured McLeary both saw and verbally acknowledged what had been found before two forensic scene of crime investigators photographed the weapon — a silver and black 9mm Beretta pistol with a magazine affixed — and packaged it as evidence.
Continuing his search, the detective removed panelling near the gear lever and found what appeared to be a pistol grip. That weapon, shown to McLeary and documented by the forensic team, proved to be a black Smith & Wesson Springfield .40 calibre pistol with a magazine and additional ammunition. A pair of shoes recovered from the trunk was claimed by McLeary as his own.
Misidentification sends murmurs through courtroom
A tense moment followed when the prosecutor asked the detective sergeant whether he could identify McLeary in court. At the request of McLeary's attorney, Javed Grant, the accused men in the dock were reshuffled before the lawman re-entered.
Despite spending considerable time scanning the 25 accused row by row, the detective incorrectly identified Shawn Pottinger as McLeary, prompting audible murmurs in the courtroom. Justice Dale Palmer had earlier instructed the accused to sit upright for the identification exercise, after 15 of the 17 men in the main dock had kept their heads down from the moment the officer entered and throughout his testimony. The Crown indicated it had no further questions for the detective at that stage but intended to recall him to tender additional items into evidence.
Defence challenges serial number claim
In cross-examination, Grant accused the detective of lying about having observed the serial number on one of the firearms. The officer maintained he had not handled the weapon but had been close enough to the scenes of crime officer retrieving it to view the number.
"I am suggesting to you that you are lying when you say you observed the serial number while the forensic officers handled it," Grant challenged.
"I totally reject that suggestion," the detective replied.
Trial covers 16 charges spanning five years
The 25 accused — the second faction of the Klansman Gang to face trial — are answering to 16 offences allegedly committed between August 2017 and November 2022. The trial began in February this year.
In opening proceedings, prosecutors described setting out the "anatomy" of the gang, with evidence intended to show that certain members served as drivers — among them Thomas, Francis, Dwayne Frater, and Travis Drummond — while McLeary's alleged role in the criminal organisation was said to be linked both by his employment and by function within the group.
Source: Jamaica Observer