Already facing a murder charge in connection with the death of his wife Melissa, former Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera could be hit with additional charges shortly.
The 52-year-old land developer will remain in police custody over the weekend and is expected to appear before the court next week.
Deputy commissioner of police in charge of crime Fitz Bailey on Friday told the Jamaica Observer that an initial charge of murder had been slapped on Silvera who had won the St Mary Western seat for the People’s National Party (PNP) in 2011.
“He has been charged with murder alone for now,” Bailey told the Observer shortly after a question-and-answer session in the presence of Silvera’s lawyer.
Bailey also scoffed at claims that the policeman who first went to the scene was involved in a cover-up when it was first reported that Silvera had died from natural causes.
“I know that the issue of cover-up is a public discussion but if the same police officer who went on the scene requested a post-mortem to be done, then in my own understanding and assessment, there is no inclination of a cover-up because the post-mortem really is to reveal the cause of death,” added Bailey, in a video released by the police.
While Bailey did not address the issue of the weapon that killed Silvera, Observer sources have indicated ballistic tests proved the bullet fragments found in her body were from a gun licensed to her husband.
The police, however, confirmed reports that there was evidence that major renovation work occurred in the room where it’s believed she was killed.
It was initially reported that Silvera was found dead in the couple’s Stony Hill, St Andrew, home on November 10, 2023 from natural causes.
But on Thursday Bailey reported, “After the autopsy report, it was revealed that Mrs Silvera had not died from natural causes but as a result of possible gunshot wounds. As a consequence, the police elevated the investigation into a murder investigation.”
He pointed out that to avoid any suspicion of a cover-up the probe was moved to the Major Investigation Division and several lines of enquiry drawn.
“Having satisfied ourselves that there is sufficient evidence to mount a viable prosecution, as a consequence consultation was made with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions who concurred with our findings,” said Bailey then, before Friday’s development.
In the meantime, the PNP on Friday said it noted the charges brought against its former parliamentarian who has remained a key operative after his defeat in the 2016 General Election.
“The People’s National Party is committed to upholding the principles of justice and accountability and emphasises the importance of the rule of law and due process.
“We call upon members of the public who have information that can assist the police investigation to do so, so that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of justice for Melissa,” the party said in a media release.