Klansman Trial: Prosecution to Give Update on Phone Records

Klansman Trial: The prosecution in the One Don Klansman Trial is expected to provide an update to the court on their progress in obtaining call data records from the country’s two main service providers. According to the chief investigator, these records were requested but none has been forthcoming to date.

The police witness has been testifying for one week against the alleged gang leader Andre Blackman Bryan and 32 of his co-accused.

The primary investigator in the One Don Klansman Trial revealed on Monday that the police were having challenges in obtaining telephone records from the country’s two main telecommunication providers.

Records that are believed to be crucial to the prosecution’s case.

On Wednesday the police witness detailed how several phones were seized from the defendants in addition to three other phones used by a former gang member to secretly record conversations with other alleged members of the gang. 

The prosecution indicated that they are setting the foundation for when the records become available. Chief Justice Bryan Sykes asserted that the powers of the court should have been used during the case management process, to summon the providers before the start of the trial.

Attorney Lloyd Mcfarlane, who represents the alleged gang leader Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan says, it would be unfair to the defence for the prosecution to present the call data at this time, as they were not aware that the records would be added to the case. 

The prosecution advised that an update will be provided by Friday. Meanwhile, the police witness positively identified eight more defendants in court. He has so far pointed out 27 of the accused, including the alleged leader and his brother, Kevaughn Green.

The detective recalled when he first encountered Bryan and his brother at an apartment in Kingston where they were both taken into police custody. Bryan’s mother and his brother’s girlfriend were also at the apartment. The police told the court that while having a casual conversation at the time with Bryan, he said looking at his structure “a you really a di don for jones avenue”…

Mcfarlane objected, saying his client was not cautioned then. Bryan was charged in 2019 for leadership of a criminal organization and being part of a criminal organization.

The trial continues on Thursday, December 2.