Michael Abrahams | A closer look at the Jolyan Silvera case

I feel very unsettled about the Jolyan Silvera case. When Silvera was arrested and charged for his wife’s murder in 2024, I wrote an article titled “Jolyan Silvera: not a good look.” In the story, I mentioned what was known about the case at the time and that it was not looking good for him. Now that he has entered a guilty plea for manslaughter and the prosecution has accepted it, I still express those sentiments… and then some.

Many Jamaicans are outraged at the manslaughter plea and the prosecution’s acceptance of it. It is said that Silvera shot his wife, Melissa, after “provocation” when she blamed him, during a contentious argument, for the death of their third child, who drowned in the swimming pool at their Stony Hill residence in 2017. The autopsy found that Mrs Silvera was shot three times. One of the major differences between manslaughter and murder is intent. Many of us feel that if someone takes a firearm and discharges it and shoots someone once. Then discharges it and shoots them again. And then discharges it and shoots them a third time, how could they not intend to kill them?

The provocation argument can explain this, as even though multiple shots were fired, if someone is provoked, they could “flip out” and, in a fit of rage, fire multiple shots, without the assault being premeditated. Had Mr and Mrs Silvera had an argument, and he left their home and returned a few hours later and shot her multiple times, the provocation explanation and manslaughter plea would be significantly weaker. In the interest of transparency, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has provided a detailed explanation of why the manslaughter plea was accepted.

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20260206/full-text-dpp-explains-how-provocation-changed-silveras-murder-case

The crime was heinous and gruesome, and it is difficult to think about it without our emotions coming into play. But the law does not care about emotions. There are rules, guidelines and precedents, and the manslaughter plea is not a far-fetched one if, as Mr Silvera claimed, he was subjected to the level of provocation he claimed he was. There are no witnesses to the killing. The only person alive who knows what transpired is Mr Silvera. He may be speaking the truth. He may also be untruthful.

LEVEL OF TRAUMA

One of the aspects of the case that disturbs me is the fact that after Mr Silvera shot and killed his wife, he left her dead body in the house with his young children, allowing them to discover her bloody corpse. I cannot even begin to imagine the level of trauma those children must have experienced. Two of them were alive when one of their siblings drowned and this incident is yet another tragedy in their childhood. In my opinion, if a man can walk out and leave his children at a crime scene like that, he is capable of other actions deemed unacceptable. He said his wife blamed him for the death of their third child. Maybe she was being unreasonable. Maybe she was not. Maybe she knew something we do not. Silvera cried at his wife’s funeral, having his mother read his tribute to her, as he sat in the congregation, knowing full well that he had taken her life. Subsequently, it was reported that when he was apprehended by the police, he was preparing to go to a party.

Silvera said he initially did not admit to his homicidal act because he did not want to deprive his children of both parents, suggesting that he intended to get away with the crime with zero consequences, and several events following the killing support this.

For instance, it was initially reported that Mrs Silvera died of natural causes in her sleep, and this narrative was being pushed to explain her demise. However, this was outlandish because a post-mortem would eventually reveal the cause of death. How could multiple gunshot wounds be missed? It is also alleged that in the aftermath of the shooting death of Mrs Silvera, several people turned up at and tampered with the crime scene. There are also allegations that some of these people are affiliated with the People’s National Party (PNP), the party Jolyan Silvera is associated with. It was also reported that in the immediate aftermath of the crime, renovations were undertaken at the home of the couple, which included retiling, a new paint job, and new furniture.

PEOPLE TALK

I have no evidence that these people turned up at the crime scene and did what some are alleging they did. But Jamaica is a small place. And people talk. There is often just one degree, or less, of separation between many Jamaicans and public figures, including politicians. If people, including those from the party did indeed turn up and commit the alleged acts, that would be despicable, and they should all face consequences, too. The proximity of this affair to the PNP is not a good look for the party, and the organization cannot reasonably blame people for side-eyeing them.

It is also thought by some that the manslaughter plea and the resulting avoidance of a trial may serve to protect those who were allegedly involved in a cover-up, as they will not be called upon to testify. If this is true, it would be a grave injustice. On the other hand, not having a trial would spare the Silvera’s children the unbearable agony of being called to testify against their father, a situation that would undoubtedly further traumatize them.

Many Jamaicans believe Silvera is literally getting away with murder, as sentences for manslaughter tend to be less severe than those for murder. Whatever the case, I feel very unsettled. Maybe justice is being served. Maybe it is not. In the meantime, my heart goes out to Mrs Silvera’s family, especially her children. I feel it for them. I hope they are in good hands and in a loving and nurturing environment.

Michael Abrahams is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, social commentator, and human-rights advocate. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and michabe_1999@hotmail.com, or follow him on X , formerly Twitter, @mikeyabrahams