The family of Melissa Silvera, alongside countless Jamaicans, are disappointed with the court’s decision to accept Jolyan Silvera’s plea to manslaughter. The embattled politician’s murder charge in the 2023 death of his wife, Melissa, was officially lowered to manslaughter in the Gun Court in downtown Kingston on Thursday, after Chief Justice Bryan Sykes accepted the plea.
Yesterday’s hearing was attended by two of Melissa’s relatives. When they, a man and a woman, exited the court, the woman was visibly distressed and teary-eyed. The woman declined to comment on the latest development, indicating that the family will address the case after the sentencing. However, she noted that the family remains hopeful that at the sentencing, justice will be served.
Also looking to comment after the sentence is handed down is defence attorney Peter Champagnie. He said he will address public concerns about the plea after the sentencing. He also described the case as sensitive, declining to share details.
The sentencing is scheduled for March 6, and Silvera remains in custody. The former St Mary Western Member of Parliament was originally facing charges of murder and using a firearm to commit a felony.
Melissa was killed at her marital home in Stony Hill, St Andrew, on November 10, 2023. Silvera pleaded guilty to manslaughter just as court proceedings had been moving toward a full trial before Chief Justice Bryan Sykes. The defence and prosecution made private submissions to the court regarding a plea to the lesser charge, and the Crown accepted the manslaughter plea on the grounds of provocation.
As part of his plea deal, Silvera gave his accounts of what happened the night his wife died. He claimed they were arguing and harsh words were exchanged, according to reports. He said his wife slapped him and spat on him before they began tussling in the house. He alleged that he snapped and shot her.
According to reports, the death of their son in August 2017 was a major topic of dispute. The child, who was about one or two at the time, drowned in the pool at their home while Silvera and the helper were there. Silvera said his wife blamed him for the toddler’s death.
Melissa was 42 when she died, which was initially reported to be from natural causes until an autopsy report showed she was killed by a gun. The autopsy, which was completed two weeks after her death, revealed that she suffered gunshots, and bullet fragments were found in her body.
Silvera was arrested on January 18, 2024, and has been in police custody since then. The pair got married on December 12, 2015, and had four children together.