JUSTICE Lloyd Hibbert yesterday warned family members of Khajeel Mais to desist from posting material on social media pertaining to the trial of businessman Patrick Powell in the case dubbed the X6 murder trial.

The high court judge also ordered the removal of all materials posted on various social media platforms about the X6 murder trial and warned that no further material should be posted.

Justice Hibbert made the order after Powell’s attorneys raised concern about the ‘social media campaign’ that was allegedly being led by the family and argued that it could prejudice the case resulting in Powell getting an unfair trial.

Mais’ sister, Kimberly, last week voiced her dissatisfaction on Facebook and Instagram about the frequent delays and the length of time that it was taking for the case to start.

The family had also scheduled a peaceful march down to the court yesterday but the march was later cancelled.

Yesterday, in court, Powell’s attorney, Deborah Martin said that the defence was alarmed at the family’s behaviour and complained that the family’s “extensive tirade that is going on in social media suggests that Powell is guilty”.

Martin also highlighted various different materials that were posted on Mais’ sister’s Facebook andInstagram, as well as a newspaper article and television interview done by Mais’ sister commenting on the trial.

She also pointed to a planned march to the court by the family members which would have coincided with the start of the trial.

“We are particularly concerned about the impact that this could have on potential jurors, and are of the view that the conduct could communicate to them a view that they should take of these proceedings, and that it could cause persons to feel intimidated,” Martin said.

Consequently, Justice Hibbert instructed that no further materials be posted on social media about the case while warning that anything done to unfairly influence a tribunal is tantamount to contempt of court.

Justice Hibbert said he was disturbed by some of the comments which were highly critical of the justice system.

Powell has been charged with murder arising from the 2011 shooting death of 17-year-old Kingston College student Khajeel Mais.

The teen was reportedly travelling in a taxi that collided with a BMW X6 motor vehicle, and it’s alleged that the driver of the BMW got out and fired at the car, hitting the boy.

The trial, which was scheduled to start yesterday, has been postponed for next Tuesday.

The postponement was as a result of the absence of Attorney Patrick Atkinson, who is to rejoin the defence team and will not be available until next Tuesday.

Powell’s bail was extended.