Trial of former MP Jolyan Silvera in murder of wife pushed back

The trial of former People's National Party Member of Parliament for St Mary Western Jolyan Silvera, who is charged for the murder of his wife, has been pushed back to February 2 in the Gun Court.

The 52-year-old businessman was arrested and charged on January 18, 2024, with murder and has been in custody since following the shooting death of his wife Melissa in November 2023.

The trial, which was slated to start today before Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, was delayed after the defence made an application for the examination of critical ballistic material, which the laboratory had initially opposed facilitating, but has now accepted.

The media was not allowed to cover the matter.

The judge informed that, based on the Gun Court Act, matters before the gun court are to be tried in camera.

The judge remarked that the media should enquire from Parliament about amending the Act so that it will be open to the media.

The wife of the defendant was found dead in the couple's home in Stony Hill, St Andrew, on November 10, 2023.

It was initially reported that the 42-year-old woman had died in her sleep from natural causes.

However, an autopsy performed three weeks after her death revealed that she had died from gunshot wounds.

Three bullet fragments were found inside her body, leading the police to commence a murder investigation.

King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and attorney-at-law Patrice Riley are representing Silvera.

-Tanesha Mundle

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