Two men charged over Cherry Tree Lane massacre make first court appearance, to remain in custody

The two men charged for the recent massacre in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon which left eight persons dead were today remanded when they made their first appearance in the Gun Court Division of the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Dushane Smalling, 28, otherwise called ‘Snowman’, of North Street in May Pen, and Leighton Whyte, 32, otherwise called ‘Bands’, of Havanah Heights, are each charged with eight counts of murder, eight counts of shooting with intent, eight counts of wounding with the use of a firearm, possession of prohibited weapon, and authorized possession of ammunition.

When the men appeared in court today, an application for the matter to be transferred to the Home Circuit Court was made.

The men are scheduled to appear in the High Court on September 16.

They are charged for the August 11 deaths of seven-year-old Aiden Bartley, Roger Messam, 48, Magaret Bonner, 40, Cavel Daley, 26, Diamond Bennett, a 20-year-old cashier, Errol Stewart, a butcher, 68, also known as 'Wagga', Jermaine Boothe, 33, also known as 'Blacks’, and 50-year-old Lawrence Francis.

It was reported that on the day in question, about 8:45 p.m., the two accused men along with deceased Steve Smith and other men, who were all harmed with handguns, drove to the community where a birthday party was being held and fired at a group of persons.

The shooting left eight persons dead and nine injured including a one-year-old infant.

Following the shooting, the three men reportedly left the scene in the motor car in which they had arrived.

Smalling was arrested after turning himself in, while Whyte was arrested while he was reporting as part of his bail condition.

Attorney-at law Kemar Robinson is representing Smalling while Dwight Reece is defending Whyte.

- Tanesha Mundle

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.