Deacon’s bail terms changed again

9.FEB.07

JAMAICA – The Home Circuit Court on Friday again reduced the bail terms awarded to Donovan Jones, the former church deacon who, along with two young men and a juvenile, is charged with human trafficking.

The 47-year-old Jones, who had to report to the Half-Way-Tree Police Station three days per week, will instead report on two days – Monday and Saturday – between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.{{more}}

Attorney Paul Beswick complained to Justice Kay Beckford that Jones was finding it difficult to report on three days, saying that the time-consuming effort was hindering Jones’ job performance, among other things.

The ex-deacon’s bail condition was first varied last October when the number of days that he was required to report to the police was reduced from five to three.

James Rogers, 18; Shamar Morgan, 18; and a juvenile are charged with Jones on five counts of human trafficking stemming from allegations that Jones, who was hired to transport a 13-year-old girl from school, supervised her sexual assault by the young men over a period of weeks early last year. Rogers is alleged to have videotaped the acts.

Before varying Jones’ bail condition, Beckford commented: “Personally, I believe in locking up a man because he can walk into a station, [sign] then go [commit an offence].”

The four will return to court on March 16 where a trial date is expected to be set.