Dexta Daps Remanded Into Custody Pending April 20 Court Date
Dancehall Artiste Dexta Daps will remain behind bars until at least next Monday, April 20th, after his application for bail was not heard in court today.
The popular artiste, whose real name is Louis Grandison, was arrested on April 8th by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Videos of his arrest went viral on social media and he was seen being led away in handcuffs by several armed cops in the Seaview Gardens community. He’s been in custody since.
The matter was heard today and his lawyer, QC Peter Champagnie gave an update on the situation including that his hearing had been pushed back to Monday, April 20th.
Champagnie explained that there were a number of factors that influenced the decision to have Daps remanded, including the long holiday weekend.
According to the police, Dexta Daps and several other people were brought for questioning with regard to gang-related activities in the St Andrew South area.
Champaigne said: “What I can say is that the matter was heard this morning having filed a writ of habeas corpus. It was heard before the Parish judge in the Cooperate area judge, Halfway Tree and the arguments have been advanced. The judge has put the matter to continue for this Monday 20th of April.”
He added that on Monday he will be given a chance to present his arguments and the police will be in attendance.
“On that occasion, it is expected that the police will be in attendance, they were not in attendance this morning because of a number of factors including the fact that the long holiday period did not afford for sufficient service in terms of notification.”
The attorney also revealed that he was not satisfied with a number of circumstances surrounding the artiste’s detainment.
“I would say the assertion is that he is detained under the State of Emergency. I have grave reservations in relation to that and I have formulated my argument to meet that particular assertion but those are assertions best left for the courtroom,” he said. There is still no word on what exactly he has been charged with.