MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A more than hour-long deliberation between the prosecutor, attorneys and parish judge Desiree Alleyne in the Manchester Parish Court on Friday ended with the five accused in an extortion racket targeting business operators, again remanded in custody.

Sheila Smith, 64, Careba Salmon, 24, Keeno Powell, 21, Beko March 21 and Sandre Bogle 20 are all facing extortion and conspiracy to extort charges.

A concern that Alleyne reiterated as a reason for her hesitancy in granting bail is that the allegations that the extortion letters that were being distributed contained death threats, are quite serious.

The letters, the court was told, stated the sum of money that should be handed over weekly or monthly and warned the recipients of the dire consequences of getting the police or private security involved or if the individuals delivering the letters are apprehended. Particular threats to firearm holders were also relayed.

A decision was taken that all five accused be remanded and that the case will be heard again on April 19.

However, there was a slight turn of events after the proceedings as there was news that Salmon wanted to return to the court room in order for “a particular course of action” to take place.

She was eventually given a chance to return in front of the judge but Alleyne advised that whatever needed to be done should not be rushed.

As such, she was given the opportunity to return earlier on April 5.

Attorney Joel Nelson lobbied for Salmon, Keith Bishop represented Smith and Howard Lettman made bail applications for Bogle and Powell. March was unrepresented.

In addressing the court at the outset, Nelson maintained his position from a previous court appearance that Salmon’s release would not affect the case and that her 5-year-old son was having difficulty with her absence.

The court was told that Smith has spent most of her life in England where she worked as a social worker.

Her attorney said that she is a mother of two adult children.

He cited medical challenges, poor conditions in lock-up and her responsibility for her 94-year-old mother who is being cared for in a senior citizens home as reasons it was unsuitable for her to be behind bars.

Smith, he said, will not be interfering with witnesses and her own life will not be endangered if given bail.

Keith Bishop said that his client would not be able to return to the house in Clarendon that she owns along with her husband, if released, as given the allegations that items linked to the extortion accusations were found there it would still be considered a crime scene.

He said, however, she could reside at a family home outside of the parish.

Lettman said that Powell was given a job as a driver without being aware of the content of the letters that were being distributed and Bogle accompanied him.

Alleyne stated that of all the accused persons, Bogle had the best chance of being granted bail because the allegations against him were the weakest.

She requested that a report from his community be submitted to verify his character and said that she would like to see his criminal record.

Friday’s court date for the accused extortionists was the second consecutive appearance. They were also in court on Thursday but the required statements from the police were not available to proceed and the matter was carried over.

Alicia Sutherland