No Cameras Allowed In Today’s Tivoli Enquiry Proceedings As Lawyers Present Top Secret Evidence

Tivoli-EnquiryAttorneys representing the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) are to make submissions today as the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry resumes.

However, the hearing will not be open to the public.

The lawyers for the JDF are seeking to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information.

They say revealing the information may be harmful and against public interest and public safety.

Following the submissions, the Commissioners will rule if the information is to be revealed.

Meanwhile, the public will be invited to take part in the enquiry on Monday.

At that time, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding and former Commissioner of Police Owen Ellingston are to go back on the witness stand where they will be cross-examined by attorney-at-law Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, who is representing Reverend Al Miller.

Miller was arrested and charged after he was found in the company of then fugitive Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

The enquiry is looking at the police-military operation in West Kingston in May 2010 which left more than 70 people dead.

The operation was aimed at capturing Coke.

Jamaica Observer

Jamaica’s Former Prime Minister To Retake The Stand In The Tivoli Enquiry Trial Surrounding The Dudus Coke Manhunt

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Jamaica’s former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding to retake stand in Tivolil Enquiry for cross examination.

The Tivoli Commission of Enquiry is to be opened to the public on Monday.

The enquiry was scheduled to continue on Tuesday, after a break in February, but was put off until tomorrow due to the illness of Chairman Sir David Simmons and the visit of US President Barack Obama to Jamaica on Thursday.

The next sitting is on Friday, but the session will not be opened to the public, as attorneys are to make submissions on documents that requests are being made to keep out of the public, Commission Attorney Garth McBean, QC, told the Jamaica Observer.

When the commission reopens to the public, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding is to be recalled for questioning from Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, who is representing Rev Al Miller.

Miller was arrested and charged after Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, who was then on the run, was held in his presence in June of 2010. Miller had said that he was taking Coke to the US Embassy in Kingston on instruction from the authorities.

After Golding’s testimony, former Police Commissioner Owen Ellington will continue at the witness table.

The enquiry is looking into the police/military operation in the West Kingston area in May 2010 to apprehend then Tivoli Gardens strongman Coke.

More than 70 people, including a Jamaica Defence Force soldier, died as a result of the operation.

Jamaica Observer

Former Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington Testifies In Dudus Coke Manhunt Enquiry

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The enquiry is looking into the police/military operation in the West Kingston area of Jamaica in May 2010 to apprehend then Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

More than 70 people, including a Jamaica Defence Force soldier, died as a result of the operation.


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Via Jamaica Observer:

FORMER Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington will today retake the witness stand when the Tivoli Commission of Enquiry resumes at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

The enquiry, which started last year December, took a break in February.

The enquiry had previously taken a seven-week break for the Christmas/New Year season before resuming in early February.

Other high-profile witnesses to testify before the commission are former Prime Minister Bruce Golding; Former Security Minister Dwight Nelson; and Dorothy Lightbourne, the former justice minister and attorney general in the Bruce Golding Administration.

A number of West Kingston residents have testified at the enquiry.