Cell site records place co-accused at murder scene
MONTEGO BAY, St James – Cell site records have placed the two men accused of murdering 15-year-old Shineka Gray at the location where her body was found on February 1, 2017.
The revelation came in court on Thursday from the officer in charge of the Communication, Forensics and Cybercrime Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Deputy Superintendent Maurice Goode.
Gregory Roberts is currently on trial in the St James Circuit Court for the teen’s death. Co-accused Mario Morrison had pleaded guilty in September 2022 after entering a plea deal with the State and was sentenced to life in prison a month later.
During a verbal and digital presentation in court on Thursday, DSP Goode used Google Earth software to show how signals emitted from a cell tower helped them map both men’s movements and tied them to the crime. He said the cell tower Global Identity (CGI) information showed that at 8:58 pm and 9:07 pm on January 29, Roberts and Morrison’s phones were respectively being served by a Tucker Hill Cell tower which serves the Irwin area in the parish. The teenager’s body was found in bushes in Irwin, St James, three days later.
“With an understanding of how cell site works, in order for both Mr Roberts at 8:58 [pm] and Mr Morrison at 9:07 [pm] to use sector four of this Tucker Hill cell site, they would have to be within this location on this side,” explained DSP Goode.
He was responding to queries from Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Andrea Martin-Swaby, who wanted his opinion of both men utilising the same sector of the Tucker Hill cell tower.
Also in court on Thursday, a series of text messages sent by Roberts was entered into evidence and a link was made to some of them being sent from the Irwin cell tower. They were sent to his ex-girlfriend and her mother and covered topics that have now become familiar to those following the trial.
He mentions making a video that shows him doing something he thought horrific enough to scare his ex into repaying money he felt she had scammed from him.
A total of 16 of 18 witnesses have testified, to date, before a seven-member jury. The case has been adjourned until next Monday at 10:30 am when DSP Goode will continue his presentation.
