Chief Justice Sykes to rule Thursday on Silvera’s manslaughter plea in wife's death

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes is expected to rule on Thursday whether the court will accept a manslaughter guilty plea from Jolyan Silvera, a former People’s National Party lawmaker, in connection with the death of his wife.

Submissions were made by both parties Tuesday morning in the Gun Court, where the matter is being heard. The Gun Court Act requires that matters be heard in camera, so media were not permitted to cover the proceedings.

Silvera pleaded guilty to manslaughter as the trial was due to start on Monday.

Silvera was charged with the murder of Melissa Silvera in January 2024.

She was found dead in their Stony Hill, St Andrew home on November 10, 2023. Initially believed to have died from natural causes, an autopsy performed three weeks later revealed that she had sustained gunshot wounds, with three bullet fragments recovered from her body.

Silvera has remained in custody since he was charged.

He is represented by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and attorney-at-law Patrice Riley.

Silvera is a former Member of Parliament for St Mary Western.

- Tanesha Mundle

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