News

Zekes remanded

By WANDEKA GAYLE, Staff Reporter

REPUTED AREA LEADER Donald 'Zekes' Phipps wore a solemn expression when he emerged from the Gun Court section of the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's court yesterday on murder charges.

His attorney, Churchill Neita Q.C. told reporters that the presiding magistrate had denied his bail application and remanded his client until June 22 for mention.

Neita said he had argued that the evidence police brought against his client was insufficient to keep him in custody.

Scientific evidence

While he refused to elaborate on the evidence before the court stating that it was an in-camera case, he confirmed that the police told the court they had scientific evidence against his client.

He added that the police would need two weeks to continue their investigations and obtain the relevant statements.

About his client's state of mind he said, "He was more or less upbeat but seems to accept his situation."

Phipps, clad in a bright red shirt, who with much fanfare had thrust his hands in the air on Friday when he appeared on charges of unlawful possession of $18 million and possession of ganja, remained silent as he was led from the lock-up to the police vehicle.

Phipps is charged with the murders of Bayshore Park area leader, Leroy Farquharson and a man known only as 'Scotchbrite'.

Their bodies which were riddled with gunshot wounds, were found burning on Rose Lane, downtown Kingston, on April 15, at approximately 5:00 a.m.