KINGSTON, Jamaica – Klansman Gang leader Andre “Blackman” Bryan told Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Tuesday that his co-convicts should have been “pardoned” as they were all under his influence to commit heinous crimes including murder and arson.

He made the remarks as the sentencing hearing for Bryan and his 14 co-convicts continued in the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston.

“The truth must be told. I give orders, they were all under influence, same too the two witnesses who got pardoned, I don’t know who pardoned them,” Bryan said.

“The accused, all of them should have been pardoned and you take me into account, that’s all I have to say,” he added.

Bryan’s speech concluded the plea mitigation exercise and Sykes has adjourned the matter to a later date, when he will hand down the sentences.

On Monday, Bryan disowned his father who was mostly absent from Bryan’s life as a child. Bryan’s father, according to a social enquiry report, implied that his absence was due to a disagreement with Bryan’s mother over the child’s religious faith as he wanted the younger Bryan to adopt Rastafarianism.

READ: ‘Mi nuh call nuh man father’: Klansman boss Bryan disowns absentee dad

The trial of the St Catherine-based Klansman gang members began in September 2021 with 33 defendants inclusive of leader Bryan.

At the final verdict in March 2023, Bryan and 14 others including sole female defendant Stephanie Cole Christie were convicted of different offences, including being members of a criminal organisation.