Blackman fans off police witness

Reputed leader of the One Don faction of the Clansman Gang, Andre 'Blackman' Bryan, yesterday flashed off the retired inspector whose work was pivotal in getting him and his 32 co-accused charged with gang-related offences.

Blackman's flashing off of the gang investigators led to a chorus of whispers inside the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston.

The incident occurred while the retired inspector, a 31-year veteran, was being cross-examined by Diana Mitchell, attorney for defendant Jason 'City Puss' Brown. The retired lawman was being asked to describe a metal door inside a holding area at the St Catherine courthouse.

The police witness, who had never met the alleged gangster before he visited him at Horizon Adult Correctional Facility, said he was told by fellow defendant Stephanie Christie of his whereabouts and that City Puss' correct name was Jason Brown.

The investigator said that he went to the prison under the guise that he was a gangster and spent an hour chatting with Brown before surprising him with criminal charges.

Their next run-in was reportedly at the St Catherine courthouse, where the retired cop said he again studied the voice of Brown after hearing him in extortion voices notes, which had been circulating in Spanish Town, St Catherine, and listening to live conversation in which the same person would call and threaten business operators .

Mitchell cross-examined the retired policeman about a run-in at the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court, which is now called the St Catherine Parish Court.

The court heard that during that encounter, City Puss reportedly caused a commotion on seeing the policeman after he was reportedly tricked and was charged by him for extortion and breaches of the Anti-gang Law.

"I am suggesting to you that you could not have sat outside the holding area for 45 mins to provoke Jason Brown because he could not see you," Mitchell said.

The retired cop said he did not agree with the lawyer.

Still Mitchell persisted. "You will agree with me that the metal door at the Spanish Town holding area at the parish court has nothing but a peep hole, yes or no?", Mitchell said.

"I am not in agreement with you," the witness said.

Mitchell continued: "I suggest that you are lying to the court when you say that the metal door doesn't have just a peep hole", Mitchell said.

"I disagree with you," said the retired policeman.

"Could you describe the metal door to the court?" the attorney said.

It was while giving his description, suggesting the door had more than a peep hole, that Bryan, sitting from the dock, menacingly, fan off the prosecution witness, albeit without Chief Justice Bryan Sykes spotting him.