Wanted man says police damaging his reputation

Attorney-at-law Damion Heslop is advising Dujon Wright, one of the men posted in the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) 'Wanted Wednesdays' feature, to turn himself into the police.

"The JCF are well in their rights to list him as a wanted man as he is in fact wanted by the police for serious crimes. He should definitely turn his self in with legal representation and decide if he wants to have the matter tried or take another route," Heslop told THE STAR.

Wright, otherwise known as 'Black Man', is wanted by the Black River Criminal Investigative Branch in connection to an incident of shooting with intent incident six years ago. In a two-minute video, a man who appears to be the man listed by the JCF as wanted, proclaims his innocence.

"The only reason why I nuh turn in myself to the police is because I shot that boy in self defence and the gun weh me use is illegal, you understand. If it wasn't for that me turn in myself already. Me nuh want the JCF a push this narrative say me is a bad man," the man said.

"Them tek this for a gimmick, this is people life unnu a play with yere," he continued. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified by THE STAR. Heslop said that if the video is authentic, then people have every right to list the man as wanted. Heslop also explained that for the man to argue self- defence, it would not excuse him from criminal proceedings.

"In law, even with a self-defence explanation, he would still have committed a crime, and as such he is rightfully wanted and being sought by the police. Plus he admits the gun used was illegal. Therefore, even if he is discharged from the shooting (murder) charge, he still has the illegal possession charges to overcome. Also the fact that the matter happened six years ago is of no moment in relation to these charges. The JCF are well in their rights to list him as a wanted man as he is in fact wanted by the police for serious crimes. As far as I see there is no legal remedy available to him as it seems none of his constitutional rights have been breached," Heslop said.