ODPP Reviewing Manslaughter Plea Entered by Former MP Jolyan Silvera in Gun Court

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is now considering whether to accept a manslaughter guilty plea from former Western St Mary Member of Parliament Jolyan Silvera, following developments in the Gun Court on Monday.

Silvera, who had been scheduled to stand trial, changed his plea to guilty on the lesser charge of manslaughter during his court appearance in Kingston. The move came after additional ballistic evidence was presented in the case.

He was arrested in January 2024 and charged in connection with the death of his wife. The charges before the court include murder, manslaughter, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Silvera had previously entered not guilty pleas.

The decision on whether the manslaughter plea will stand rests with Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson and Chief Justice Bryan Sykes. Veteran attorney King’s Counsel Pierre Rogers has indicated that once the prosecution agrees to a plea arrangement, it is uncommon for a judge to refuse it.

Under Jamaican law, a murder conviction can result in a sentence ranging from 50 years to life imprisonment. Manslaughter also carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, though KC Rogers noted that sentences commonly imposed for that offence often fall between seven and 12 years.

The prosecution is expected to indicate its position on the plea when the matter returns to court.

Separately, Rogers addressed concerns about restricted media access to Gun Court proceedings in the case. He pointed to Section 13 of the Gun Court Act, which allows a judge to exclude the press and public in the interest of safety and order. The Press Association of Jamaica has called for that provision to be repealed after journalists were barred from attending recent hearings. Rogers said any change would require broad agreement among justice system stakeholders.