By Clinton McGregor/Lorraine Mendez
Two of the main suspects in connection with the mass murder in Cherry Tree Lane in Clarendon last week appeared in St. Andrew’s Parish Court on Wednesday.
Leighton White, also known as “Bonz,” and Dushane Smalling, also known as “Snowman,” are each charged with eight counts of murder, intentional shooting and intentional assault.
They are also accused of possession of a prohibited weapon and illegal possession of ammunition.
The men were remanded in custody until Monday, when prosecutors are expected to submit statements to their lawyers.
White and Smalling turned themselves in to police as part of a large-scale manhunt for the suspects who shot and killed 17 people, including children, at a party on Cherry Tree Lane on August 11.
Eight of the victims, including an eight-year-old boy and three women, succumbed to their injuries.
Another suspect in the case, Steve Smith, also known as “Thicka” or “Fly Brain,” was shot and killed during a police/military operation.
Several other people were arrested for questioning in this case.
The police high command had announced that the case was also being investigated against people living in the USA.
Dreams are shattered
Meanwhile, the mother of eight-year-old Aiden Bartley, who was among those killed in Cherry Tree Lane, said her son wants to join the Jamaica Defence Force.
“No soldier passes by without him yelling at them, at least when there’s a round they corner him and he spots them. Sometimes they blow him, sometimes they stop. But being a soldier was his thing. That’s what he wanted to be.”
She said it was difficult for her to cope with the loss of her son.
“When it happened, I stayed away from home. I didn’t want the night to fall… I knew I would return home without him,” she lamented.
The mother, who said she is not from Cherry Tree Lane but attended the birthday event, said she and her son tried to take cover behind a car when the shooting started.
Her other son, a 1-year-old, is among nine people injured in the mass shooting.
