Jamaica news roundup: Portland stabbing arrest, Clansman trial evidence and US deportee talks

A 15-year-old schoolboy is in police custody after a fatal stabbing in Port Antonio, Portland, while Jamaican authorities are also addressing a false missing-child alert, fresh evidence in the Clansman gang trial, and a proposed deportation arrangement with the United States.

The Port Antonio police say the teenager was arrested after Jeremy Ferguson, otherwise called Tarzan, was stabbed near the bus park on Foreshore Road at about 4:20 p.m. Monday. Ferguson’s age had not yet been confirmed by investigators. Early accounts indicate that the accused and three other schoolboys were gambling behind a public lavatory when a dispute broke out. The three boys reportedly left and returned with three adults, including Ferguson, before the accused allegedly used a knife during an attack on him. Ferguson was taken to Port Antonio Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has also warned the public to stop sharing a photograph and message claiming that nine-year-old Adonai Thomas is missing. Police say checks found the claim to be untrue, and that Adonai is safe, healthy and with her family. The JCF says the continued circulation of the image and message could cause distress to the child and relatives.

In the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston, the Clansman gang trial is expected to continue after Justice Dale Palmer admitted a statement from deceased exotic dancer Chenisa Roberts as exhibit 23. Roberts died in February 2021 from health complications, but had given police a statement about the February 7, 2020 killing of massage parlour operator Noel Smith at Jericho Place, St. Andrew. Michael Wildman, Jerome “Spike” Nash, Nashan Guest and Giovani Macdonald are being tried in relation to the alleged facilitation of Smith’s murder and robbery.

A separate issue involves a proposed memorandum of understanding under which Jamaica and the United States would discuss transfers of up to 25 non-Jamaican deportees every two weeks, potentially reaching as many as 10,000 people. The draft framework, reportedly outlined in a US Embassy document, would exclude unaccompanied minors, Jamaicans and persons convicted of serious crimes, except where immigration breaches are involved. Transfers would be considered case by case, with arrivals expected through Norman Manley International Airport and either country able to end the arrangement with 90 days’ written notice.