KINGSTON, Jamaica — Observer Online understands that Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has accepted Jolyan Silvera’s guilty plea for manslaughter and using a firearm to commit a felony.

Silvera was to begin trial on Monday in the Gun Court Division for murder and using a firearm to commit a felony.

However, when he was asked in court to plea guilty or not guilty, Silvera said he was not guilty of murder in relation to the November 2023 murder of his wife Melissa Silvera.

In a shocking twist, Silvera instead accepted guilt for manslaughter, citing constant provocation from his wife.

Prosecutors used Monday evening into Tuesday morning to decide whether they would accept the guilty plea for manslaughter.

When the matter returned to court on Tuesday, it was understood that prosecutors accepted the guilty pleas for manslaughter and the second offence of using a firearm to commit a felony.

It was then left up to Chief Justice Bryan Sykes to say whether he was in agreement.

The matter was then adjourned until Thursday when he indicated that the pleas were accepted.

Sentencing is set for March 6, 2026.

READ: Silvera seen smiling as prosecutors mull manslaughter plea