Lawyers to appeal Dante Brooks’ verdict

The defence team for Dante Brooks, the teenage son of dancehall deejay Mavado, says they will be looking to proceed to the next step in the judicial process following his murder conviction.

Brooks’ lead attorney, Peter Champagnie QC, told THE WEEKEND STAR that the team of advisers would be filing for an appeal after Wednesday’s verdict. Following a trial that lasted 12 days, Brooks and his co-accused Andre Hinds were held responsible for the June 5, 2018 home-invasion killing of Lorenzo Thomas in the St Andrew community of Cassava Piece.

“The decision of the Court is respected as should always be the case but it does not take away the right of the accused to appeal and we are of the firm view that this is a matter that could benefit from the matter going on appeal,” Champagnie said. “Having said that, I want to take the opportunity to commend the sterling efforts of the other members of the defence team. The defence is obviously disappointed. We will not always be in a position to win a case and we are disappointed but our eyes are set for the Court of Appeal.”

Illegal possession of firearm

In addition to the murder conviction, they were was also found guilty of illegal possession of firearm, shooting with intent and arson. They are expected to be sentenced on March 12. The 19-year-old Brooks and Hinds are facing life imprisonment.

Champagnie added that in what was a “hotly contested” showdown in court, commendations must be given to the prosecutorial team for the level of civility they displayed during the trial.

“It (the case) was hotly contested on both sides but I must acknowledge the civility of the prosecution’s team in what normally is and was an adversarial atmosphere in the court,” he said.