Shocking new evidence about what happened in the car the night Chris Brown allegedly beat Rihanna.



FOX 11 in L.A. obtained LAPD detectives notes from a search warrant in the case. According to the notes, Rihanna read a three-page text message on Brown's phone from a woman. An argument ensued and Brown allegedly tried forcing Rihanna out of the car but couldn't because she was wearing her seat belt.

Brown then allegedly shoved Rihanna's head against the passenger window. When Rihanna turned to face him, Brown punched her, then continued punching her while driving, according to the detective's notes.

*lo** spattered all over Rihanna's clothing and in the interior of the car. Her mouth was filled with *lo**.

Brown allegedly told Rihanna, "I'm going to beat the **** out of you when we get home. You wait and see."

Rihanna called her assistant and left a message saying, "I am on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there."

Brown then replied, "You just did the stupidest thing ever. I'm going to kill you."

According to the report, Brown continued to punch Rihanna, bit her on her ear, her fingers and put her in a headlock -- she almost lost consciousness.

Young Buck's clothing line, David Brown Clothing, has reportedly gone out business.

According to WoooHa, Young Bucks clothing line failed to take off after its launch last year due to the rappers waning popularity and being kicked out of G-Unit.

The clothing line's high prices and the ongoing economic crisis also played a factor in it's downfall.

The website which offered Bucks clothing line has also been shut down.

March 06, 2009. MediaTakeOut.com just received some EXPLOSIVE new information. We spoke EXCLUSIVELY to a person close to Chris Browns camp and they gave us some SHOCKING NEWS. The insider believed that Chris attack on Rihanna was a case of ROID RAGE

The insider, who asked that MediaTakeOut.com keep their name confidential, claims that Chris Brown has been using steroids for some time and that it likely contributed to the attack. The source explained, Chris started using steroids for his voice, and then he started using it more and more I think he used it too much.

The source continued, There were definitely benefits to using [the steroids], like he got more muscular. But it also affected his temper Everyone around him noticed it.

And MediaTakeOut.com directly asked the insider whether they believed that the steroids were behind Chris attack on R&B singer Rihanna. The source replied, Of course, Chris temper got crazy when he started taking [the steroids].

Is the use of steroids to improve a singers voice common, you ask? Well MediaTakeOut.com spoke to a popular recording engineer who claims that many singers routinely use steroids to help their voice. The insider, who asked for anonymity, explained, If a singer is on tour and their voice isnt holding up, or if they have laryngitis you give them a steroid shot, or they can use a spray. It will allow them to perform temporarily. The insider continued, Just about every artist I know has used it.

Its not clear what effect the ROID RAGE defense will play in the Chris Brown criminal trial. As MediaTakeOut.com reported to you earlier in the week, Chris attorneys are working feverishly behind the scenes to work out a plea deal which would give NO JAIL TIME to the R&B singer. And, as we reported earlier in the week our sources say that they are EXTREMELY close to a plea deal.

But Chris defense team might have another ace in the hole. Yesterday MediaTakeOut.com told you that Chris defense team postponed pleading NOT GUILTY to the offenses charged against him. That leaves open the possibility of Chris pleading NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY using Roid Rage as his mental disease or defect. While it would be an unorthodox legal move, it could prove effective.

According to mediatakeout.com, things are HEATING Up in the assault case against Chris Brown:

Rihanna has agreed to speak to the prosecutors on Chris behalf. and if need be - admit to her part in the incident.

Another person close to the case says that Chris Brown and prosecutors are EXTREMELY close to a plea deal. Chris would plead no contest to misdemeanor domestic battery and receive NO JAIL TIME.

More to come

UPDATE: According to US magazine, Rihanna and Chris reportedly reconciled this past weekend at Diddys Miami house.

Brown began calling Rihanna on her 21st birthday, the same day the photo of a battered Rihanna leaked out.

 

 

Theyre together again. They care for each other, a source from the Brown camp told the magazine. While Chris is reflective and saddened about what happened, he is really happy to be with the woman he loves. The pair havent been photographed together yet, but shots of Brown jetskiing near Miamis Star Island have emerged.

Brown began taking anger management classes last week in an effort to repair his image, but a reconciliation with Rihanna is perhaps the only way the 19-year-old R&B star can save his career after being dumped from commercials, radio stations and the promotion of his upcoming film Bone Deep in the wake of his arrest. In fact, E! reports that Brown is already back in Miamis Hit Factory studio working on new music.

The New York Daily News has exclusive pics of Rihanna coming out of seclusion and soaking up the sun in Mexico:

Beaten-up beauty Rihanna donned a bikini and soaked up some Mexican sun a day after her 21st birthday.

The shocking bruises that sources say boyfriend Chris Brown left on the songbirds face just before the Grammy Awards were not visible in exclusive photographs obtained by the Daily News (see print edition for photos).

Nor was she smiling.

Her grim expression, so at odds with the balmy setting, hinted at the heartbreak the Umbrella singer has endured since her private agony became public knowledge.

Rihannas family was furious after a photograph of her battered face was leaked, and the singer was determined to get out of Los Angeles.

Shortly before she split last Thursday, Rihanna released a note to her fans telling them she remains strong.

Then, with a couple of close friends, Rihanna decamped for a private beachside villa in Punta Mita.

Brown, a 19-year-old R&B singer, was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats against Rihanna after the Feb. 8 attack. He has since enrolled in anger management classes.

 

We just cant keep up with the twists and turns of this situation.  According to two tabloids this week, Rihanna was PREGNANT during the altercation with Chris Brown.

According to Star Magazine:

Just days before the terrifying incident, [Rihanna] had consulted an ob-gyn after confiding in close friends that she believed she was pregnant.

Rihanna was afraid to tell Chris about it because she was sure he didnt want to have a baby, says a source [but] on Jan 26, Rihanna, wearing dark sunglasses, a black off-the=shoulder top, black pants and black boots, had a scheduled appointment at the office of Dr. Gregory Ewertz in Cedars-Sinai Medical center.

The National Enquirer has a similar story:

Oh, my God, I could lose the baby!

Rihanna has told pals that horrifying thought raced through her mind as her boyfriend Chris Brown brutally beat her - because she thinks she is pregnant

Rihanna had missed her period and told friend that she thought she was pregnant. But when she told Chris he didnt want to talk about it and was in sort of denial.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie repudiated recent references in the international media to Jamaica as a drug haven.

McKenzie said, according to the National Council on Drug Abuse, there were just under 200,000 Jamaicans addicted to drugs. Included in that figure, he said, are a number of persons who are deemed alcoholics, the largest category of drug users in Jamaica.

He said the country was suffering from its ports being used as narcotic trans-shipment points. He blamed wealthy drug lords for targeting the poor and marginalised who are oftentimes employed as armed enforcers.

Manchester student tops in Jamaica

Published: Saturday | March 7, 2009

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Sheri-Ann Peckham - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Sheri-Ann Peckham of Manchester High School is "likkle" but as we would say in Jamaica, "shi tallawah".

This 16-year-old outscored her peers in the 2008 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations, gaining 12 ones.

Yesterday she walked away with the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) prestigious title of best overall performer in CSEC.

"I am definitely happy because I worked hard and prayed a lot and that has paid off in the end," Peckham told The Gleaner yesterday, following a Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) splendid awards ceremony at St George's College in Kingston.

The soft-spoken student continued: "I studied hard and remained focused and was not easily distracted".

clubs

While preparing for CSEC, Peckham was also a member of her school's Spanish and science clubs.

Peckham who turns 17 next month is currently a sixth-former at Manchester High, where she is pursuing subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.

She intends to move on to university to pursue studies in medical science.

Lori-Ann Vaz of Wolmer's High School for Girls was the second best performer in the island, while Jeremy Hall of Glenmuir High was third.

Campion College was named the top school for both CSEC and CAPE.

The top three students for all subjects in CAPE and CSEC were also presented with awards.

Nadine Molloy, president of JAPSS congratulated the students on their outstanding performances.

In his remarks, Doran Dixon, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association encouraged the awardees to continue striving for excellence.

Guest Speaker, Donna Duncan-Scott told the students they were powerful and were able to pursue excellence.

CXC' Pro-Registrar for the Western Zone Office, Glenroy Cumberbatch also lauded the students for their achievements.

Michael Dexter, of Orchard Drive, Oswaldtwistle, has received an out-of-court payout following a six-year legal fight with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Michael, now 58, had taken a c**ktail of around 100 pills with rum and cola one morning in December 2002.

He was rushed to Blackburn Royal Infirmary after his wife Stephanie and young sons Martin and Trevor returned home to find he had overdosed.

His legal team argued that after arriving at A&E unconscious, Michael was given at least four times the correct dose of neutralising drugs - causing severe tissue damage to his right arm, which he described as "third degree burns".

He said: "I know they saved my life but if you went in with a heart attack you wouldn't expect to leave with a limb you can't use.

"I had to go to a burns specialist for plastic surgery. They removed tendons from the wrist and I have had three skin grafts. "There are not many people who come out of hospital worse than when they went in." Michael's depression stemmed from having left a job of 23 years as an engineer for British Airways in order to move north.

He recalled: "I thought I had made a big mistake by moving up here. Some people do it to seek attention but I very much wanted to kill myself. I was quite ill."

Read

He's a smooth talker, with an angelic face, said to be on a mission for God. This is the description police give for 41-year-old Lerron Carlton Heslop, the latest Jamaican to be placed on the America's Most Wanted (AMW) list.

Heslop is being sought by the United States (US) police on several counts of organised fraud. The AMW website lists Jamaica as one of his possible locations.

Investigators say Heslop has duped churches and churchgoers in Central Florida of at least US$450,000 by presenting himself as a wealthy businessman from a religious family in Jamaica.

"He asks for donations for what police say is a fake religious group, Pioneer Caribbean Team, and his victims gladly hand over the money," the website said.

Police think Heslop has pulled this scam in several states across the US, including Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, New York, as well as Canada, raking in at least US$1 million since 1996.

Detectives say Heslop tells his victims that the Pioneer Caribbean Team is trying to fund the establishment of Bible colleges and churches in the Caribbean. To entice them to donate, he promises big cash returns. He says he'll invest the money in Jamaican land used to grow sweet potatoes, and police say he claims the investors will not only see a tenfold return on their money, but they'll also help revitalise the area.

Man of God

The catch, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is that a return on investment never materialises. Since Heslop asks for cash only, there's no paper trail.

Florida investigators say Heslop targets churches and pastors because they are generally generous and trust him as a man of God.

He also pulls up in a fancy car, like a Jaguar, and shows professionally produced slide shows. He stays in the churchgoers' homes and makes them dinner. Detectives say he also invites investors to come to the Caribbean and work with his ministry, asking them to contribute US$4,000 to pay for a private jet. But he disappears before the trip ever materialises.

Heslop last lived in Dallas, Texas, but has since been tracked to Yonkers, New York.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement believes the 41-year-old fake preacher could also be living in The Cayman Islands. He reportedly has family in Toronto, Canada and Jamaica. Police are also searching for Heslop's wife, Thelsa 'Telly' Saleta Fearon-Heslop, on a charge of organised fraud.

March 04, 2009. MediaTakeOut.com just caught wind that rapper 50 Cent is off talking crazy again. Heres what he said to an interviewer when asked what he thought about Britney Spears:

It was great to watch her spin out of control because it makes the average person feel better.

Sounds pretty heartless 50

The current version of Vybz Kartel and Spice's Rampin Shop has been ordered to be destroyed and pulled from all radio stations, television stations and the Internet by EMI Music Publishing. Plans are in motion for the song to be re-mixed and re-mastered so it can be played on air again.

When the STAR spoke to Vybz Kartel yesterday he explained that he had received an e-mail from EMI Music Publishing stating that Rampin Shop infringes on the copyright license of Miss Independent by Ne-Yo. Rampin Shop was released towards the end of 2008 and is currently on a remade version of the Miss Independent rhythm, the song while immensely popular in Jamaica has not been officially released to the International market. While Ne-Yo is officially signed to Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the copyright license for the composition of the Ne-Yo song is licensed by EMI Music Publishing for composers Shaffer Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen.

Kartel forwarded the e-mail from EMI to the STAR in which it stated, "'Ramping Shop' by Vybz Kartel and Spice infringes the copyright in 'Miss Independent' (Smith/Hermansen/Eriksen). Clearance of this use of 'Miss Independent' has not been sought or obtained and I am informed that clearance will not be forthcoming. Accordingly 'Ramping Shop' cannot be released or exploited in any way. Please confirm your acknowledgement and acceptance of this, and that you will arrange that (i) all recordings of the infringing track will be re-called and destroyed and that no further copies will be issued, and (ii) that the audio and/or video

will be taken down immediately from all Internet sites."

According to Kartel the current version of the song will not be used and to solve the problem a re-mix of the song is currently being done. He said, "the remix will sound like dancehall, just like what Ne-Yo's people did when they made Miss Independent ... Notnice and I will be doing the remix today (yesterday) so listen out for it by Friday when it is mixed and mastered."

Rihanna and Chris Brown have married

Wha u think? Should he lay his focus more on Dancehall or Reggae? In which u think he is tuffer?

Entertainment Tonight

Breaking news: ET is first to receive the protective order issued by the court that limits Chris Brown's interactions with Rihanna, whose given name is Robyn Fenty.

The order filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday stipulates that Chris must not "hara**, strike, threaten, assault (sexually or otherwise), follow, stalk, molest, destroy or damage personal or real property, disturb the peace, keep under surveillance, or block movements of the protected persons named above," with Robyn Fenty listed as the protected person. View the document here.

The order expires on March 5, 2012, and also requires Chris to surrender or sell any licensed firearms within 24 hours. The order also prevents the teenage R&B star from attempting to dissuade witnesses from attending a hearing or testifying, or trying to "obtain the addresses or locations of protected persons or their family members, caretakers, or guardian unless good cause exists otherwise."

Another stipulation of the order states that the protected person -- Rihanna -- may record any prohibited communications made by the restrained person -- Chris.

Rihanna's attorney Donald Etra told ET Thursday, "Rihanna was ok with the so-called level one protective order, which orders Chris not to annoy, molest or hara** her. And Rihanna believes that was totally sufficient."

In the order, Brown is listed as being six feet, two inches tall and weighing 195 pounds. Keep checking back here for more details on this developing story.

Related news: Rihanna will testify if called, attorney says

Beyonce's got one hell of a prenup with Jay-Z beyonce_jayz.jpgYardFlex gleaned that Beyonce has got the mother of all pre nuptials agreement with hubby Jay Z that could result in adding another $25 mil to her already huge net. Word is that the longer Beyonce stays married to S. Carter, the more money he pays. The thirty-eight year old Carter's net worth is estimated at $300 million. It is no secret that Jay-Z adores Beyonce, and was pretty much willing to give her almost anything she wanted. The prenup calls for Jay-Z to pay Beyonce $10 million if the marriage ends after two years, and $1 million a year for each further year she remains in the marriage, up to fifteen years. "Beyonce would be granted access to their private jet and a fleet of cars, which includes a $1 million 1959 Rolls Royce convertible," this according to a tabloid snitch. Jay's thrown in a few incentives for having children: He's promised to pay her an additional $5 million for each child she bears for him-for her loss of income during pregnancy and child-rearing years." Damn, talk about a match made in heaven...go Beyonce...this is what we would call a sweet deal.

Tragedy struck at a basic school in the Tucker-Irwin area of St James yesterday afternoon when a little girl died after an abandoned piano in a schoolyard fell on her.

Dead is five-year-old McKalia Wallace, of Tucker-Irwin, who was a grade-two student at the Wesleyan Holiness-operated Tucker-Irwin Basic School.

According to reports, during the school's lunch break, a group of children were playing around the old piano when it fell over, pinning McKalia and a little boy underneath. The children were rushed to a nearby medical facility where McKalia was pronounced dead and the little boy treated and released.

Courtney Thorpe, chairman of the school board, said that following the incident, he had dialogue with the parents of the dead child and that the school family was doing its best to comfort them.

Pall of gloom

When The Gleaner visited the school, the old piano, with dried *lo** splattered beside it, was still on the pavement where it fell. A pair of shoes was still pinned under one side of its dilapidated wooden frame.

"They were rocking it (the piano) when it fell over," said a little girl.

"It happened when we were outside playing at lunchtime."

The matter, which is being investigated by the Montego Bay police, has left a pall of gloom over the Tucker-Irwin community.

"Me belly burn me when I heard because I have a child going to the school," said a resident of the community.

"It is just a sad, unfortunate accident and we will just have to rally around the bereaved parents."

Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The Government will have to come up with $833 million to repair the roads damaged by flood rains last month.

Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry says this is a preliminary estimate which was prepared by the National Works Agency (NWA) and includes $50 to $60 million already spent for emergency repairs. However, access to some communities, particularly in Portland, remains difficult.

"We still have roads left to be opened and we have areas where we can't get heavy equipment in," Henry said as he provided an update almost one month after a surface trough dumped several inches of water on the island's north and north eastern coasts.

North Coast Highway

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, Henry noted that the price tag did not include the cost of repairing a portion of section three of the North Coast Highway which collapsed during the rain which lashed the island for almost 10 days.

Henry said while he is to meet with Finance Minister Audley Shaw to discuss how the repairs will be financed, the present global economic crisis would make it difficult for the government to find the money.

"I continue to say to the country, unless you introduce a user-pay concept and unless we recognise that we should add a cess on the fuel that we use and create a dedicated fund to repair the roads, 59 per cent of the roads will not be rehabilitated," Henry said.

"If we are going to have to use only the funding that we normally get from the budget, then I'm afraid it is going to be catch-as-catch-can, rather than dealing with it as we should," added Henry.

The Transport Minister has repeatedly called for a cess on gasoline to create a dedicated fund to repair roads and gullies, and while there has been no official response from the Bruce Golding administration, this is believed to be one of the revenue measures being considered as it crafts the 2009-2010 budget.

 

Road repair bill from February 2-12 rains

Parish Total cost

St Mary $592M

Portland $197M

St Ann $30M

St Andrew $5M

St Catherine $4M

St Thomas $4M

GLEANER photographer Ricardo Makyn who was slapped with a range of charges while on duty at a shooting scene in Half-Way-Tree last month will return to court on May 6 for trial.

Makyn - who is charged with using abusive language, disobeying an order to move on and assault - appeared in the Petty Sessions section of the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court Wednesday.

The complainant, Constable Carlton Erquart of the St Andrew Central police, is contending that Makyn assaulted him after he instructed him to stop taking pictures at a scene in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew after a policeman shot and killed a man who he said attempted to disarm him of his service revolver.

Following an alleged altercation, Makyn was hauled off to the Half-Way-Tree Police Station where he was charged with the offences.

Makyn, who is represented by attorneys Shena Stubbs and Ann Marie Jordan, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The matter was presided over by Lay Magistrates Glen Bromfield and Rupert Young.

THE ODA DAY MI HEAR A MAN SEH WE WIL NEVER HAV PEACE IN THE WORLD ASLONG AS WOMAN WANTS TO B EQUAL TO MEN..........MEK  MI HEAR WA UNNU HAV FI SEH BOUT THISE...........FEMAL N MALE...........AN CALOSS MI REALLY WA HEAR WA U HAV TO SAY BOUT DA WAN YA................U START LECTURING

Thirty-six-year-old Maxine Tugwell-Brown, the acting vice-principal of John's Hall All-Age School, who has been charged with the murder of her husband, was on Wednesday remanded in custody.

She has been behind bars since February 22, following the fatal stabbing of 46-year-old Junior Brown. She is to reappear before Resident Magistrate Winsome Henry on March 13.

Threatened by her husband

The accused reportedly told the police in a statement that on the night of the incident she was threatened by her husband. Defence attorney Morrel Beckford told the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's court that his client acted in self-defence, as she felt threatened by her husband, who she claimed had been abusive to her.

Mrs Tugwell-Brown had been with her husband for 16 years and they had three children, one of whom died. She has been a teacher at John's Hall All Age for the past eight years and has been acting as vice-principal since January 2008.

MONTPELIER, St James - A five-vehicle collision along the Montpelier main road in St James yesterday morning left one woman dead and five members of her family nursing injuries in the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

The dead woman, who was trapped in the mangled remains of the car for nearly two hours before firefighters were able to remove her, was identified as Coteisha Gayle, a 32-year-old port security worker from Bethel Town, Westmoreland.

Marva Gayle (left) and Vincent Savariau (right) - brother and sister of Coteisha Gayle, who was killed in yesterday's motor vehicle crash - being consoled by a sympathiser after news of the fatal accident along Montpelier main road in St James. At centre is Debbie Davis.

The injured included her common-law husband Andy Birch, a sergeant with the Area One Police Headquarters; Aneisha Birch, 6, Andesha Birch, 11, - daughters - and niece Thiona James, 10. Aneisha was taken to the Bustamante Children's Hospital for treatment.

Sgt Birch and the children - students of the Anchovy Primary and Corinaldi Preparatory schools - were passengers of a Toyota Corolla motor car driven by the deceased.

According to Corporal Peter Salkey, liaison officer for St James, the accident occurred about 7:15 am when a green Honda motor car travelling towards Hanover failed to properly negotiate a corner and ended up on the other side of the road.

The out-of-control Honda motor car, the police said, first slammed into the side of a Nissan Serena minivan before it slammed head-on with the Toyota Corolla station wagon motor car, which was travelling behind the minivan.

The impact of the collision caused the Honda motor car to flip repeatedly, resulting in its engine falling out and rolling into the path of another vehicle which was travelling behind it.

"I was approaching Bethel Town and the green Honda car was in front of me. All of a sudden I saw that it had developed speed and gone. When I looked down the corner I noticed it developed a slide. When I came around the corner I realised that it already collided with a minivan and a Corolla motor car. As I drew nearer the engine fell out the car and slammed into my car," a driver of one of the ill-fated vehicles told the Observer.

The crash caused a huge pile-up of traffic for more that two hours, while a throng of onlookers flocked to the accident scene where *lo**, small pieces of metal, grease and splintered glass littered the road.

Gayle's death brings to eight, the number of persons who have died as a result of motor vehicle accidents in the parish of St James since the start of the year, one less than the comparative period last year.

A lawyer representing a police corporal charged with corruption said he would be writing to the commissioner of police to investigate the Anti-Corruption Branch for an excessive use of power.

Sean Kinghorn told the court that the Constitutional rights of his client, Rosalyn Wilson, were infringed upon by policemen from the unit.

The lawyer said subsequent to his client's arrest, she was violated by a doctor, who assaulted her during a body-cavity search.

Collected $5,000

It has been alleged that on February 16, Wilson, who is attached to the Portmore Police Station in St Catherine, collected $5,000 from a motorist who was caught committing a traffic breach.

A report was made to the police, who set up a sting operation and reportedly caught their colleague collecting the money.

Wilson was granted bail in the sum of $40,000 and is to reappear in court on April 7.

Garette Brown (left), acting corporal in the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Trelawny division, has the full attention of, Little Kirkroy Robinson, at a homework centre located at the Falmouth Fire Station. - JIS Photos

Firefighters are known for their valiant efforts to save and rescue persons and property from the searing arms of fire.

Those who have had the opportunity to witness them in action know the levels of bravery associated with the job.

However, few are aware of another bold aspect of their undertakings. In one of their most recent initiatives, firefighters are not seeking to quench but ignite a different kind of flame - flames of learning.

Homework centre for students

Under the supervision of Dolphin Doeman, deputy superintendent in charge of the Trelawny division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, personnel stationed at the Falmouth branch have started various outreach programmes.

Chief among them is a well-needed homework centre for students, operated from the conference room at the Falmouth Fire Station.

The 60 men and women assigned to the station play an integral role in the running of the centre, which started in September 2008.

The idea for the centre stemmed from the recognised need to maintain some form of interaction between the firemen and the neighbouring communities and to assist students who live in and around Falmouth.

Readily accepted

The homework centre forms part of a new approach of the Jamaica Fire Brigade being piloted by Deputy Commissioner Neil Findlay.

"The schools that were targeted were Falmouth All-Age and Hague Primary and Junior High because they are close to the Falmouth Fire Station," said Doeman.

He said that when the idea for the homework centre was presented at parent-teacher meetings, it was readily accepted.

"And so on September 22, 2008, the centre was opened with 11 students on the first day. This number has grown and we have in excess of 70 students enrolled," he reported.

The popular programme is being run at no cost to the students and a prominent supermarket in Falmouth assists the fire brigade in providing refresh-ments for the students in the evenings.

Doeman pointed out that "on a daily basis, the centre is manned by fire brigade personnel, who are always in attendance once students are there".

The centre is opened Mondays to Fridays from around 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Dane Smith, one of the officers who assists with the daily operation of the centre, believes the project is worthwhile, pointing out that it assisted the fire brigade in reaching out to the communities with its programmes.

Dual role

"The best place to start is with the little children, so when they come in, we can impart not only the mathematics and the English, but we can also teach them about fire-safety measures," he said.

Ann-Marie Smith, a parent whose eight-year-old son attends the centre, had nothing but complimentary remarks for the firefighters.

"I sincerely hope that this programme can continue for a long time and will be promoted within the schools in the area, so that all the youngsters coming up can get an opportunity to benefit from it," she said.

THE GOLDING administration's election manifesto promised to set up an independent commission to investigate police excesses will, in its initial stages, be forced to use the expertise of the police force.

For years, public cries have resonated across the island for the establishment of a body comprising civilians only, to probe police killings and other offences against Jamaicans.

The Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2009, if passed by the House of Representatives, will repeal the Police Public Complaints Act, 1992. This would lead to the setting up of a commission, comprising independent investigators, that would replace the Police Public Complaints Authority, a department now staffed by police personnel.

Public consensus is that the police have failed miserably to conduct impartial investigations involving their colleagues.

Long deliberation

A committee deliberating on the Independent Commission of Investigations Bill on Tuesday spent a long time trying to determine whether the commission could, in its developmental stage, carry out its mandate without the input of the police.

During the discussion, it was argued that the staff of the proposed independent commission would inevitably have to rely on assistance from police personnel in conducting investigations.

Committee member K.D. Knight said investigations being carried out by the commission would, at some point, involve ballistic tests.

Knight proposed a transition period in which members of the police force would be involved in the work of the commission.

"The ballistic experts that we have here are policemen. What is going to happen? Is the ballistic expert going to be precluded from carrying out the tests?" he questioned.

"You need some kind of transition period. If you preclude, you are saying within two years the staff must be up to scratch to handle all the investigations. If that is not so, you are going to run into problems," Knight said.

Chairperson of the committee, Justice Minister Dorothy Light-bourne, explained that the commission would be interacting with the forensic department and other departments of the force. She, however, insisted that the commission would not employ current members of the force.

Imitating the irish

Drawing on the Irish model of an independent agency that was set up to investigate police misconduct, Senator Mark Golding sought to find out whether that jurisdiction operated independently of the police in technical areas such as forensic science.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Felice, who provides technical advice to the committee, said the forensic science service in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland was independent of the police.

"The good intent is that the police should not investigate the police," Felice commented, but he advised the committee that the commission might have to draw on resources from the force. "There would have to be the backbone of some policing experience in setting up this commission at a very early stage," Felice told the committee.

Felice said a similar agency has been set up in Northern Ireland and staffed by junior and senior police personnel who were seconded from the police force to investigate their colleagues.

Pearnel Charles (left), minister of labour and social security, addressing members of the Carpenters Union and Employers from Ontario, Canada, who were in the island to interview 72 construction workers for employment in Ontario on Tuesday, January 15. Looking on is Alvin McIntosh, permanent secretary in the ministry. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The Ministry of Labour is offering free training opportunities to persons who have lost their jobs in recent weeks.

Soft loans are also being made available to persons who have been sent home and who want to start small businesses with their redun-dancy payments.

"We are putting it to the workers; come with your redundancy money. We will send you to the ministry (Industry, Investment and Commerce) with (Karl) Samuda to sit with them. We will lend them some money to start a small business with some of the money they have," Labour Minister Pearnel Charles declared on the prime minister's monthly call-in programme 'Jamaica House Live' on Wednesday.

Dual training

According to Charles, the labour ministry's training programme would leave participants with more than one skill.

"We first want you to know that you will not be able to go back to the job with one skill ... HEART is willing and is ready to train that skilled worker in other areas," Charles added.

He said his ministry was offering the traditional classroom training, as well as on-the-job opportunities.

"This training has started. We are doing some in the ministry and where persons have switched from where they were to other jobs," the labour minister said.

Charles said the ministry had also established a skills bank where persons who had lost their jobs could submit their résumés, which would be placed on the ministry's database and be made available for prospective employers.

Just under 13,000 persons have been dismissed from their jobs since last October as local companies react to the global economic meltdown.

Easy way out

This is a major concern for Charles who remains adamant that local com-panies were taking the easy way out by cutting jobs at the first sign of trouble.

"The workers, through their unions, have said keep us on the job, we are prepared to do any of the following, keeping the job going with lower pay, give up some of our benefits, shorter working week and lower pay. But we at the Ministry of Labour are not satisfied that the management has taken up the challenge of the workers," he said.

According to Charles, the labour ministry has offered companies the chance to discuss the problems they were facing to arrive at solutions which do not include cutting staff.

"This is a time to invest in workers at a lower rate than they used to charge. The workers will stay on, will learn an additional skill and will be ready for any upturn," Charles added.

 

 

Those who are interested in training opportunities can call the Ministry of Labour and Social Security:922-9500-14.

The police are searching for two teenaged girls who have gone missing from the Glenhope Place of Safety on Maxfield Avenue in Kingston since last week Monday.

The 14-year-old girls have been identified as Omelia Bryan and Shamelia Steadman, both of dark complexion, slim build and about 130 centimeters tall.

At the time of their disappearance, Omelia was wearing a pair of pants and a pink blouse, while Shamelia was wearing a pair of shorts and a T-Shirt.

Anyone knowing their whereabouts is being asked to contact the Hunts Bay Police at 923-7111, the police emergency 119 numbers or the nearest police station.

Nothing gets Jamaicans stirred up like politics and in West Portland yesterday it was evident that the political heat was building.

Today is nomination day for the highly anticipated by-election between the governing Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Daryl Vaz and the Opposition People's National Party's (PNP) Kenneth Rowe on Monday, March 23.

The seat is one Labourites are bent on keeping.

But it's also an opportunity for PNP supporters to weaken the Government's thin majority.

The PNP camp is confident of victory. In Nelson Street, Buff Bay, PNP supporters were already preparing a new constituency office, repainting the partially green structure yellow, while in a little house in Charles Town, Karen Moodie was preparing to hand over her living room as a temporary office if the PNP had failed to get the building in Buff Bay ready.

"Everybody used to Mr Rowe long time. Even when he was JLP, him always associated with PNP," said a supporter of the PNP candidate.

Vaz will make the first trip to the nomination centre this morning ahead of his challenger Rowe. Following nomination procedures, both candidates will celebrate with their supporters with motorcades and pre-victory festivities.

"We have already sent our (motorcade) route to the PNP so that we don't drown their little thing," said Robert Montague, a member of Vaz's campaign committee.

A man who police say frequently abused the mother of his one-year-old child and two other sweethearts was yesterday killed by one of them, when he attacked her with a knife.

The man was killed in full view of patients and staff at the Bethel Town Health Centre in Westmoreland.

In custody

Late yesterday evening, police were still collecting statements from persons who witnessed the stabbing of 43-year-old Rohan Tulloch, mason of York in the parish. Up to press time, police had not laid any charge against the 21-year-old woman, but police said it was likely she would remain in custody until investigations were complete.

Reports from the police are that Tulloch had previously beaten and threatened to kill his child's mother, who had lodged reports at the station prior to yesterday's incident. They say the couple had a dispute at the woman's house on Tuesday night when he threatened to kill her. She contacted the Bethel Town police and reported the matter.

Attacked her with a knife

Early yesterday morning, she visited the police station and lodged a complaint. The police went in search of Tulloch but he was not found. The woman was later walking along the road when Tulloch jumped from bushes and attacked her with a knife. He was restrained by his brother and the woman escaped.

At about 9:15 a.m. she was at the health centre with her child when Tulloch visited and demanded that she talk to him outside, but she refused. He reportedly took the baby from her and went outside. The woman followed and he punched her in the mouth and brandished a ratchet knife, but was stabbed with an ice pick.

Police also confirmed that another woman with whom Tulloch lived had also reported abuses and threats he made against her.

Constable Royford Lee, attached to the St. James Police was arrested on Monday last (March 4) on reasonable suspicion of breaching the Corruption Prevention Act of 2000.

Allegations are that on Monday, February 23, 2009 about 8:30 a.m., Constable Lee seized a White Toyota Corolla Motor in the Mount Salem Police area. This seizure was as a result of a traffic breach detected by Constable Lee. He then drove this motor vehicle to the Mount Salem Police Station, where it was alleged that on several occasions he demanded a sum of $100,000 for the release of the said motor vehicle.

A report was subsequently made to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), and a sting operation was executed by a team of Police personnel from the ACB, which resulted in the arrest of Constable Royford Lee.

The Hunts Bay Police and members of the Joint Taskforce seized an M-15 rifle after, they were fired at by gunmen at Selassie Drive, Kingston 11 last evening.

Police reports are that shortly after 6 p.m., the Hunts Bay Police and members of the Joint Police/Military Taskforce responded to reports that heavily armed men were in the St. Joseph and Crescent Roads area.

The police were traveling along Selassie Drive when they came under fire from a group of gunmen. They returned the fire, but the gunmen escaped.

Several premises in the area were searched and an M-15 rifle, serial number L-10976 with a magazine containing eleven 5.56 rounds of ammunition was found at one of the premises.

A magazine containing one 7.62 cartridge was also found. No one was arrested in connection with the seizure. The Hunts Bay Police are investigating.

A 38 year - old farmer was shot and killed by a gunman at his home yesterday evening.

Dead is John Hamilton, otherwise called Johnny of Paynes Town district, New Market, St. Elizabeth.

Police reports are that about 8 p.m., Hamilton and two other men were sitting on his verandah when a white Nissan motorcar drove up. A man alighted from the car, walked up and called Hamilton. The man then pulled a gun from his pocket and shot Hamilton, killing him on the spot. The other two men ran while the gunman left in the car.
The police were called, the crime scene processed by the Area Three Crime Scene Unit and the body removed to the morgue for an autopsy.

The New Market Police are investigating.

A 24 year-old student of Heart Trust N.T.A was shot dead on a passenger bus at Spanish Town Road in Kingston on yesterday.
Dead is Cleon Thompson of Christopher Road, Kingston 14.

According to police reports about 2:45 p.m. Thompson was a passenger on a Toyota Coaster bus that left downtown Kingston enroute to Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

On reaching a section of Spanish Town Road, a male passenger pulled a gun and shot him.

The bus stopped and the gunman left the vehicle, while the passengers scurried to safety.

The injured man was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives from the Denham Town CIB are investigating.

The Hunts Bay Police is urging the public to be on the look-out for fraudulent cheques written on the account of Issa Transport Group held by the Bank of Nova Scotia.

Police reports are that about 11 a.m. yesterday, the police were called to a business place at Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, where four cheques were handed over to them.

The cheques bearing serial numbers 4982137, 4982138, 4982067 and 4982131, were used to make purchases amounting to $682, 361.00 between February 20 and 24 this year.

Investigators are advising persons, who may come across cheques beginning with serial number 4982, to contact the entity on whose name the cheques are drawn or the bank at which the account is held, before honouring them

The trial of a man who was allegedly rescued by Minister without Portfolio James Robertson begins in the Gun Court today.

An early trial date was set by Supreme Court judge Bryan Sykes Monday for Rameish Simpson of White Horses, St Thomas, following an application made by defence lawyer Charles Ganga Singh.

Denied bail applications

Simpson has been in custody since he was arrested and charged in January. Two bail applications were made, but he was denied bail. Simpson is facing charges of shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm.

It has been alleged that Simpson fired at the police on January 3. However, there are reports that Simpson was also shot and injured during the incident and Robertson took him from St Thomas to the Kingston Public Hospital.

Robertson was subsequently served with summonses for obstructing the police and using abusive and calumnious language.

ABORTION A 9-year-old girl who was carrying twins, and whose stepfather is suspected of raping her, underwent an abortion on Wednesday despite complaints from Brazil's Roman Catholic Church.

The stepfather has been jailed since last week, the police said. Abortion is illegal in Brazil, the country with the most Roman Catholics, but judges can make exceptions if the mother's life is in danger or the fetus has no chance of survival. Fatima Maia, director of the public university hospital where the abortion was performed, said the pregnancy, which was in its 15th week, posed a serious risk to the girl, who weighs 80 pounds.

But Marcio Miranda, a lawyer for the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife in northeastern Brazil, said the girl should have carried the twins to term and had a Caesarean section. "It's the law of God: Do not kill," he said in comments reported by the newspaper O Globo.

Posted here

LOS ANGELES Pay no attention to that eerie silence in the nation's most populous county this week; it will simply be the sound of 10 million people not cussing.

At least that's the result McKay Hatch is hoping for once his campaign to clear the air is recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

On Tuesday, the board is scheduled to issue a proclamation by Supervisor Michael Antonovich making the first week in March No Cussing Week.

That would mean no blue language from the Mojave desert, where it gets hot as $&# in the summer, to the Pacific Ocean, where on a winter's day it can get colder and nastier than %$#!

Read

GOVERNMENT'S importation of cheap fertiliser has sparked controversy after Opposition spokesman on agriculture Roger Clarke charged that the product contained unprocessed human faeces, a claim strongly refuted by Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton.

"This is no time to try and score political points," Tufton said at a hastily called press conference at Jamaica House yesterday to respond to Clarke's accusation.

Opposition PNP spokesman on agriculture Roger Clarke (right) makes a point at a press conference held yesterday at PNP headquarters on Old Hope Road to call for local testing of imported fertiliser he alleges contains unprocessed human excrement. At left is Party chairman Bobby Pickersgill. (Photo:Bryan Cummings)

Government sought fertiliser on the world market after a steep rise in prices from the sole local manufacturer Newport Fersan during 2008.

"We have not imported human excrement as suggested," Tufton said, adding that Clarke was being mischievous and was misrepresenting the facts. "This is a bi-product of a process, which is universally accepted, it is not human excrement," he emphasised.

Tufton argued that based on the science of using bio-solids, microbes could not survive in the process which he said reached temperatures close to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Clarke on Tuesday suggested in Parliament that fertiliser imported by Government was suspect and demanded to be told whether the "human faeces had been properly treated".

Said he: "It is the first time inorganic fertiliser has come to the country that if you throw it out on the ground dog is going to eat it," Clarke said in Parliament. "The crows have come down, rats are eating it because nobody knows whether the human excreta was properly treated or not."

Clarke, at a press conference yesterday at the People's National Party headquarters on Old Hope Road in Kingston, said the extremely foul smell of the product indicated that it might not have been properly processed.

Spurning approvals from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environment, the former agriculture minister said he harboured reservations about the safety of the
imported product.

According to Clarke, most local farmers using the product dispensed it by hand and raised concerns about the manual use of the fertliser and the health implications.

He called for local and independent testing, but conceded that if the fertiliser was found to be safe he would have no contention with its use.

"In trying to meet a deadline not everything that was supposed to be done was done," Clarke charged.

Government, however, hit back later in the afternoon with a press conference of their own where the ministries of agriculture and trade sought to clarify the issue of the import.

Minister of Industry and Trade Karl Samuda told journalists that proper procedures were adhered to in the importation of the fertiliser, which was done through the Jamaica Commodity Trading Company, administered by
his ministry.

Tufton said that correspondence was available regarding the testing and approval of the fertiliser and independent testing was in fact done on the fertiliser.

He said both the US state and fed agency confirmed that the product was safe for human handling.

Interim executive director at the Bureau of Standards, Noel Osbourne, who spoke at the press briefing, said the bureau operated in collaboration with international standards agencies and would not have to test products if they were already approved.

"We are convinced, based on all the work we have here and overseas, that the product is safe," Tufton said.

The fertiliser was imported from DiamondR Fertliser in Florida and first arrived in the island more than four months ago.

THE Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) says a glitch that affected the facility's oxygen supply to its operating theatre has been temporarily resolved and that measures are being taken to implement long-term solutions.

According to the hospital, a temporary alternate supply of oxygen has been installed until the main source is fixed.

"The nature of the problem is a situation whereby for some time there have been occasional fluctuations in the required oxygen pressure to operate relevant equipment in the main operating theatre," explained David Dobson, acting CEO of KPH.

"The service providers have been working round the clock to diagnose the problem and recommend solutions. This has been an extremely long and tedious process," he said.

He added that the South East Regional Health Authority "has approved a contract for a company to expedite long-term measures to correct the problem".

We are told that it will take two weeks to supply the raw material and another three to four weeks for the work to be carried out," Dobson said.

He also pointed out that the hospital is currently upgrading two additional operating theatres in the out-patient department to facilitate major surgeries, among other operations. That upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Lightbourne

The long-awaited Whistleblower Legislation moved one step closer to reality on Monday, when Cabinet issued drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Council.

The legislation will provide protection for persons who blow the whistle on wrongdoers in the public and private sectors.

"This protection means that if you blow the whistle and you suffer any form of victimisation you could take the matter to court and claim damages or compensation if you were dismissed, or if you did not get the promotion you were scheduled to get," Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne told journalists yesterday at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing.

But Lightbourne noted that persons who break the law to disclose information would not be protected by the Whistleblower Legislation.

This would mean that civil servants, who have signed the Official Secrets Act, could find themselves in trouble if they ignore its provisions and report wrongdoing by government ministers or officials of state agencies.

Public debate expected

That is an issue which is expected to spark public debate when the matter goes before Parliament, and Lightbourne was not clear on how the two seemingly opposing pieces of legislation would operate.

"I think the (Official Secrets) Act is specific as to what can be disclosed. It's not everything, I think, is caught," Lightbourne said.

She was supported by Infor-mation Minister Olivia Grange, who said the Official Secrets Act is now being reviewed by her ministry.

In the meantime, Lightbourne accepted that fear of being labelled a snitch (informer) could prevent persons from disclosing instances of wrongdoing, but expressed hope that the provisions of the legislation would convince persons to tell what they knew.

"We recognise that persons who face victimisation because they blow the whistle might not have money to go to court, so the legislation allows for legal aid to be provided," Lightbourne added.

She said the Whistleblower Legislation has been delayed because the Government wanted to widen the provisions to capture all forms of wrongdoing.

The Bruce Golding administration has tightened the reins on overseas travel for members of government.

The Finance Ministry has announced that all overseas travel for Cabinet members, ministers of state and parliamentary secretaries will be curtailed, unless approved by the Prime Minister at least seven days before departure.

A document released by the Ministry further states that the request for approval must include the purpose of the trip, the duration, the names of members of the delegation, along with the associated costs.

It also said that requests from members of parliament who wish to travel overseas should be submitted through the Leader of the House of Representatives.

Proposals concerning official overseas trips must take into account the benefit to the country as well as financial constraints, the duration of travel, size of delegation and public perception, said Financial Secretary Sharon Brooks.

The Finance Ministry insists that overseas travel must be in country's interest and directly relate to the ministers' portfolio responsibility.

The new guidelines also stipulate that the Finance Ministry will not consider requests for the release of foreign exchange without evidence of the Prime Minister's approval.

The move forms part of government's efforts to cut expenditure in light of the cash crunch facing the administration.

A man was shot dead during a shoot-out with the police at Job Lane, Spanish Town, St. Catherine last night. A firearm was seized in the incident. Dead is Shawn Tulloch, 18, of Johns Road, Spanish Town.

Police reports are that about 11 p.m., a police team was on patrol in the Job Lane area where Tulloch was seen and accosted. However, he pulled a firearm and opened fire at the officers.

The fire was returned and he was shot. The weapon, a colt 9mm pistol serial number erased containing seven 9mm rounds, was seized. The injured man was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Bureau of Special Investigations is investigating.

The days of bus and taxi loaders are numbered.

The St Andrew Central police are aggressively tackling the popular public transportation-based 'hustle', and have already begun to rid the division of all loaders in Half-Way Tree and other public transportation hubs.

Illegal practice

"There is currently a coordinated initiative against loader men of buses and taxis with the view of ending the illegal practice ... the move is long overdue as they are a public nuisance, assaulting citizens and conducting other illegal activities," said Superintendent Terrence Bent, head of the division.

The initiative will focus on bus and taxi loaders along Molynes and Hagley Park roads, North and South Odeon avenues, the Mandela Bus Park and its environs.

Police have already confronted resistance to their 'anti-loader' initiative, as during one of the operations last Friday, a man was shot dead and a policeman seriously injured.

Police say the incident occurred about 6 p.m. along Hagley Park Road, when a man, with a bulge in his waist, began acting strangely. He was accosted but pulled a machete from his waist and chopped an officer in his head.

Police say he was about to attack another officer when he was shot. The man was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police were unable to confirm if the man was a bus loader.

Relentless

Despite the obstacles, Supt Bent said they will be relentless in their efforts until the loaders are all gone, especially in Half-Way Tree.

"Half-Way Tree is the veranda of Jamaica, so we must secure it so that persons can travel in and about the island in peace and without intimidation, malice, and injury," said Bent.

Craft vendor Kevin Daley, who has been accused of assaulting a Tourist Courtesy Corps officer who tried to arrest him, was remanded in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The court was then informed that he has two outstanding matters involving two other officers.

In the latest incident, Daley, who operates as a craft vendor in the Fantasy Craft Market in Montego Bay, was slapped with charges of assault, using indecent language, resisting arrest and escaping custody. He has been remanded until March 9, when he is expected to face a new charge of assault, occasioning bodily harm.

Denies allegations

Daley is accused of punching and kicking the courtesy officer after he was seen selling items to tourists without the requisite licence. He denies the allegations. Resident Magistrate Winsome Henry has ordered a copy of his police records for the next court appearance.

The court heard that on February 19, the courtesy officer observed him on Gloucester Avenue collecting money from tourists. She spoke to him and asked if he had a licence to carry out business at the location. He, however, allegedly told her to mind her own business and used indecent language to her.

The tourists allegedly told the courtesy officer that they were forced to buy two armbands from the accused for US$20 (J$1,760) and said they wanted a refund. The courtesy officer pointed out the offence to Daley and said she would be arresting him.

Further allegations are that Daley punched the officer in her face and kicked her on the buttocks before running away. A report was made to the Montego Bay police and he was subsequently arrested.

The smoke has cleared and Ninja Man has declared himself the winner of the clash with Merciless at the Magnum 'Follow Di Arrow' show.

At the event, held at James Bond Beach, St Mary, the boos Ninja Man elicited seemed to signify his loss. The people sang along with Merciless, declaring him the winner. However, these sentiments are not shared by Ninja Man.

"Merciless dead. Man write off Merciless long time, claim mi victory, change mi clothes, people lift me up and throw champagne on me and mi come back fi show di people dem love and unity and then Merciless come wid him ray ray," Ninja Man told THE STAR.

"Di whole Jamaica see seh Merciless write off. Mi did jus' a chop up tune under Merciless skin. From mi start deejay till me come offstage, Merciless a get kick. Mi nuh matta weh him waan seh inna di last round, cause mi kill him already."

But when Ninja Man returned to the stage, Merciless continued to deejay and, during this time, Ninja Man got many blows, but he said his intention was not to prolong a clash.

"Mi jus' mek him (Merciless) hold him opinion seh a him win. Merciless, if yuh feel like yuh win and yuh feel like yuh bad, come a Spring Break. This time mi a go write yuh off and put yuh out of existence," Ninja Man told THE STAR while noting that Merciless got advice during the clash from his manager.

Feel joyful

However, Merciless is basking in all the glory.

"Then mi nuh must feel joyful and victorious. It was a nice little competition. Mi neva think bout losing. Mi haffi see him run little first then burn out himself 'cause after five tune him nuh have anymore. Inna any competition yuh haffi get a few blows," Merciless said.

Since the show, Merciless said he has been receiving many calls for shows. Hence, he has no intentions of clashing with Ninja Man anytime in the future.

"Right now wi ago gwaan buil and then put out some songs. Ninja Man can neva call nobody name bout war again. Yuh nuh see seh a put mi put weh di junkie fi good? A di wickedest murder when yuh kill a bwoy inna him place," he told THE STAR.

Like Ninja Man, General B of Monster Hemp Higher believes their clash with KipRich was unfair.

"A Alliance show, Alliance crowd. Di people dem did bias and everything, but we give dem we best. We a did di only people weh a nuh Alliance weh did deh pon di stage. Mi nuh expect dem fi give wi di hundred when a Alliance crowd. But weh mi really want is a one-on-one with me and KipRich," General B said.

General B said Ghost was not part of the clash plans and Roundhead was supposed to sing one song and he would have lyrically killed KipRich.

Yet, Monster Hemp Higher's best was not good enough for KipRich.

"Memba dem did mek a statement seh dem a come do dem best but if a fi dem best dat, it nuh good enough fi me. Dem really look like empty barrel, bere hype and then nutten. Mi done wid dem man deh yah now. Mi just waan give mi fans dem some good songs," KipRich told THE STAR.

The defence closed its case yesterday at the trial of 25-year-old Sheldon Pusey, charged with the murder of Ambassador Peter King, 64.

Defence lawyer Berry Bryan said the defence was going to call a doctor, but because the doctor was unavailable yesterday, he was closing the case. King was chopped and stabbed several times at his house at Waterloo Road, St Andrew, between March 19 and 20, 2006.

Forced

Pusey said he went to King's house about a job and while there King began forcing him to be intimate with him. He said he took a knife from a cup on a bedside table and stabbed him.

The trial began on January 19 in the Home Circuit Court.

Bryan, addressing the 12-member jury comprising 11 women, asked which of them would not defend themselves if they went in search of a job and someone tried to rape them.

"Which one of you would not fight against it to the extent of death?" Bryan queried.

Historical case

Bryan said Pusey's case was the most historical in Jamaica, apart from that of National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Describing King as a man who preyed on young men from the ghetto, Bryan said Pusey's only crime was to go searching for a job. "He went for a job and he winds up in the dock and that leads to him being in custody for three years," Bryan said.

Bryan said the most crucial piece of evidence in the case was the two knives which Superintendent McArthur Sutherland got from King's house. He said the knives were not tendered in evidence and asked the jury to draw the inference as to why that piece of evidence was suppressed.

ALEX Kaminsky, the managing director of Diamond R Fertiliser that manufactures the fertiliser now at the centre of a controversy, yesterday vehemently defended the integrity of his product saying that the company would challenge anyone to prove that the fertiliser imported into the island was unprocessed or unsafe.

KAMINSKY. we challenge anyone who tries to discredit our product (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Kaminsky, however, declined to comment on the use of bio-solids in the manufacturing of fertiliser by Diamond R.
"There is no human faecal material in our fertiliser," Kaminsky declared in an interview with the Observer, adding the manufacturing process eliminated any such possibilities.

"Diamond R will challenge anyone who tries to discredit our product," he emphasised.

Fertiliser from the Florida manufacturing company is at the centre of accusations by Opposition spokesman on agriculture, Roger Clarke, that human excrement was present in fertiliser shipments imported by Government over a six-month period.

Clarke called for local tests to confirm the safety of the product inspite of Government's insistence that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had approved the fertiliser.

"We can stand up to any test, local or otherwise," Kaminsky told the Observer yesterday, adding that the same product shipped to Jamaica was used in the US and other countries.
"We don't have a problem bringing experts from anywhere to test the product," he said.

Kaminsky added that Diamond R, with more than 66 years in the business, sells over 260,000 tonnes of fertiliser annually to the US, Canada and other countries.

He was in the island regarding the establishment of a local distributor for the fertiliser.

In Parliament on Tuesday and in a subsequent press conference Wednesday, Clarke questioned the safety of using the imported fertiliser and suggested that it contained unprocessed human excrement because of its extremely foul smell.

But Government officials responded saying that the former minister of agriculture was playing politics and misrepresenting the facts.

Minister of Trade Karl Samuda said that proper procedures were followed in conducting the importation while Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton added that all the relevant approvals were granted.

Tufton said that the fertiliser from Diamond R is manufactured using bio-solids, but undergoes a heat process that renders microbes ineffective. Bio-solid is a term used to describe the by-product of domestic and commercial sewage and waste-water treatment. The residuals are then treated to reduce pathogens.

However, yesterday, Kaminsky said he was uncertain about the exact composition of the fertiliser but contended that its foul smell was an indication that it was more potent.

"I am not a technical person, I cannot answer to the composition of it," he declared.

In the meantime, Kaminsky said that his company was confident about coming into Jamaica and becoming competitive. "We are looking at entering the Jamaican market and have been doing a lot of market research over the last six months," he disclosed.