Murder accused Jolyan Silvera will know on May 14 whether he will be granted bail, after his attorneys filed an extensive application on his behalf in the Home Circuit Court on Thursday.

Silvera, a former People’s National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament, was charged with murder in January in relation to the death of his wife, Melissa. She was found dead at their home on November 10, 2023. Initially, it was believed that she died from natural causes, but an autopsy revealed that she was shot.

King’s Counsel (KC) Peter Champagnie, who is Silvera’s attorney, expressed optimism Thursday that his client will receive bail.

“We are cautiously optimistic. We have presented cogent arguments as to why he is fit and proper candidate for bail. It is a matter for the judge at this point in time and to go any further would be trespassing on areas that do not concern ourselves in terms of decision and the judge’s role in that regard,” Champagnie said in response to a question from the Jamaica Observer.

Champagnie described the bail application on Thursday as comprehensive and intense and that both defence and the prosecution put forward their respective arguments. So extensive was the application that it stretched the court beyond 4 pm.

“On May 10, there will be some additional submissions in law, not in relation to the allegations and that is quite normal. What is for sure is that he will be here on May 14, when the decision will be given by the learned judge,” Champagnie said.