Mavado Breaks Silence On His Son’s Murder Conviction: “Corruption!”
Dancehall artist Mavado has broken his silence on Dantay Brooks’ murder conviction last week, complaining that his teenaged son and co-accused Andre Hinds were unfairly treated.
In a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the singer first expressed “gratitude to all the fans, friends and family who said positive and encouraging words throughout this terrible time.”
“Corruption corruption corruption Jah know star!” Mavado declared as he rained criticism down on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s handling of the case, and the testimony of the main witness during the 12-day trial which was presided over by Justice Leighton Pusey.
“Some ppl are so f–king wicked how could a man change his statement over 4 times, even went on the stand and said that the police alter his statement,” he said. “The police came to my home and took my son from my house in Norbrook, lock up 5 other family members for no reason, which resulted in two of my family members losing their jobs because they were in jail for days without any charges.”
“This man also went on the stand and said that these same police officers who carried out the arrest of my son & my family from my home are working for me and he feared his life,” Mavado added.
“The same man who claim he feared his life, still gave over 14 pages of statements? The inconsistencies inna this man statement only shed light on the corruption.”
The young Brooks and co-accused Andre Hinds, 23, face the possibility of life sentences in prison after they were found guilty for the 2018 murder of Lorenzo Thomas in the St Andrew community of Cassava Piece on January 27. Brooks and Hinds were also found guilty of illegal possession of firearms and arson.
Prosecutors in the case had relied on the eyewitness testimony of Thomas’ father, who indicated that he knew his son’s killers from the community. They presented evidence that Brooks and Hinds were among five men who entered Thomas’ house and shot him before pushing his father into another room.
The father testified that he witnessed his son falling to the ground after hearing gunshots in their home. He also said that he witnessed the gang’s attempts to sever his son’s head with a dull machete. After that failed, one person emptied a gun into Thomas’ head and then torched the house and body.
Brooks and Hinds will be sentenced on March 10th.
In his statement today, the Hope and Pray singer, whose real name is David Constantine Brooks, also promised “to fight for the lives of these two innocent youths.”
“It’s like my son was found guilty before trial, but I’m going to point out everything and the injustice one day at a time,” he said.
Attorney-at-law Peter Champagnie has hinted that the legal team will request a review of the matter in the Jamaican Court of Appeal after sentencing.
“The defense team is obviously disappointed in the decision, however, I hasten to add that the ruling of a Court must always be respected. This does not take away from a person’s right to appeal. Having said that, we are of the view that the verdict is one that could benefit a review by way of an appeal,” Champagnie told DancehallMag last week.