Portland men freed of gun and wounding with intent charges
TWO men who were charged with illegal possession a firearm, using a firearm to commit a felony, and wounding with intent in relation to a 2023 incident in Portland were set free last Friday when they appeared in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston.
The matter was initially heard in the parish court in Portland, however it was subsequently transferred to the Gun Court Division of the Home Circuit Court in Kingston.
Judge Grace Henry McKenzie found Diashaun Parker and Tyrese Williams not guilty after they argued their innocence through their attorneys Michael Deans and John Jacobs, respectively. They argued that a third man was responsible for what they were being accused of.
That third man is yet to be apprehended by the police.
The incident which led to the men being charged occurred on Saturday, July 8, 2023 about 3:00 am.
It is alleged that the complainant in the matter and two of his friends were coming from a party at Buff Bay High School in Portland. The three friends, who drove separate vehicles, parked their cars at a location that was identified as Mr White’s Plaza in Buff Bay.
The complainant claimed in his statement to the police that roughly 40 minutes had elapsed after the vehicles were parked when, while at the plaza, he saw a friend arguing with another man. He claimed that he left the plaza and went over to where his friend was arguing with the other man, held on to his friend’s hand, and took him across the street to engage him in conversation.
It is alleged that during this time the other man still sought to continue the argument with the friend of the complainant.
The complainant said that moments later he saw three men running towards him and his friend.
Among the three men were the accused, Parker and Williams.
Parker was alleged to have pointed a finger in the face of the complainant while accusing him of ‘buying out and argument’.
It is alleged that the man who is yet to be apprehended chambered a round in a firearm before shooting the complainant in the face. The complainant was rushed to Annotto Bay Hospital where he was treated and admitted.
