MONTEGO BAY, St James – If a witness whose testimony is needed in the Shineka Gray murder trial fails to appear in court today, the police may be forced to issue a warrant. Defence lawyers for murder accused Gregory Roberts had previously indicated that the testimony provided by the witness may be damaging to their case.

The reluctant individual was subpoenaed on November 28. In wrapping up its case against Roberts on Wednesday, the Crown outlined challenges faced in locating the witness as the basis for forgoing the individual’s testimony.

“There is a witness that the court will be calling, not the Crown or the defence. In respect of that witness, My Lord, after a review was made, the newly assigned investigating officer has been making attempts to locate that witness,” Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrea Martin-Swaby told the judge.

“My Lord, the officer has not been successful at this stage and so, My Lord, it is within your discretion for a certain process to be fulfilled in this matter in terms of fairness and balance in this case,” she added.

Justice Bertram Morrison indicated a preference for the witness to appear, in the interest of justice.

Speaking directly to murder accused Gregory Roberts, he said efforts are being made to get the witness in court for Thursday’s sitting for Roberts’s benefit.

Also on Wednesday, the Crown confirmed that an investigator who resigned from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and migrated is not available to be a witness based on his schedule. The court also recalled two witnesses, Crime Scene First Responder Corporal Omar Hutchinson and Senior Superintendent Wayne Josephs, to clarify certain matters. Josephs was the officer in charge of crime for St James in 2017.

Gray, who was a grade 10 student, was found dead three days after being reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay while on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate.

Roberts and his co-accused, Mario Morrison, were later taken in custody in connection with the 2017 killing.

Morrison pleaded guilty in September 2022 after entering a plea deal with the State and was sentenced to life in prison a month later.

A total of 16 of 18 witnesses have testified to date before a seven-member jury.

The defence, which is set to call six witnesses, is hoping to rest their case next week. This will, hopefully, allow Justice Morrison to make his summation on the week of the January 22.