Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Friday; SSL's Jean-Ann Panton; Majah Hype; Clovis Toon; Breaking News and more

Morning Bites: 5 things to know for Friday, February 24, 2023 Jean-Ann Panton back in court in SSL fraud case [Former Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL) wealth adviser Jean-Ann Panton]( is scheduled to return to the Supreme Court today. The woman at the centre of a $3 billion fraud at the securities dealer [made her first appearance in court last Friday]( and was remanded in custody. She has been [charged with breaches of the Larceny Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Forgery Act and the Cybercrimes Act]( in relation to the multibillion-dollar fraud. Panton uses a wheelchair to get around and the judge has requested a full medical report in relation to the wealth advisor. Attorney-at-law Tamika Harris, while making a bail application, had submitted that Panton cannot walk and is unable to stand, however a medical report that was submitted did not indicate that this was the situation. Prior to charges being laid, Panton was grilled by investigators on Friday last, weeks after searches were conducted at two premises in the Corporate Area that she is associated with. This resulted in the seizure of documents and electronic devices, including telephones, which are still being analysed by investigators. National icon Usain Bolt is among 40 SSL clients whose accounts have been fleeced, with Bolt alone [losing nearly US$13 million or J$2 billion](. Kingston woman found guilty of murdering fugitive lover for sentencing, again Norma Lyn Dawes, the [Kingston woman who last December was found guilty of murdering her estranged partner]( — himself a convicted killer on the run — is expected to have settled the matter of legal representation ahead of her appearance today in the Supreme Court for the sentencing phase of her trial. Disgruntled with her guilty verdict, Dawes fired her team of attorneys last week, thus leading to her sentencing hearing which was scheduled for Monday being set back. Supreme Court judge, Justice Leighton Pusey, in quashing her argument of self-defence and declaring her guilty, had said that based on the evidence before the court he concluded that the woman had inflicted all three stab wounds to the victim Oshane Coley, one of which was fatal. Furthermore, he said she was "not acting in lawful self-defence" and had lied on several occasions in giving evidence. Dawes, at the time of conviction, had insisted that she was not treated fairly and declared that she wanted new attorneys. When she reappeared before Justice Pusey in the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston on Monday, attorney Paul Gentles — who along with Kemar Setal had represented Dawes — informed the court that Dawes had retained counsel to address the issue of sentencing. Pusey literally pleaded with Dawes to retain legal representation, pointing out that the sentencing phase was just as important as the trial phase as she continued to protest her innocence and pleaded for the intervention of Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, who Pusey told her could not interfere in the case. "Understand now madam that you are at this stage of sentencing. This is the time when the court, having looked at the evidence, makes a decision as to what sentence you would get. This is still a part of the legal process and it would be helpful for you to have legal advice to indicate …the possible sentences that you may get, and also what thing you might want to say to the court at this stage," Justice Pusey outlined. Dawes eventually accepted the offer of the court to locate an attorney to assist her and the matter was adjourned until today. Opposition names representatives to Constitutional Reform Committee After weeks of[refusing to do so]( the Opposition has now named its two representatives to the Constitutional Reform Committee. The two are Senator Donna Scott-Mottley and Member of Parliament for St Andrew Western, Anthony Hylton, both attorneys-at-law. Opposition leader Mark Golding had refused to name members to the committee as he argued for the Caribbean Court of Justice to be made Jamaica’s final appellate court at the same time the country ditches the Monarchy with King Charles as Head of State and transition to republic status. Golding also wanted the government to indicate which of the entrenched provisions in the constitution it intended to change. The committee will, among other things, advise on the process to transition Jamaica to a republic. In a statement, Golding said he decided to name the representatives after receiving clarification from the government on the planned review of the constitution during the [Vale Royal Talks]( on Sunday. He said this has once again demonstrated the value of Vale Royal talks in allowing constructive dialogue in a setting which facilitates candid discussions on issues of concern. Golding also assured that the opposition will be steadfast in doing all within its power to ensure the protection of the hard-won rights and freedoms of the Jamaican people. The committee is to comprise government and opposition members from the Houses of Parliament, Attorney General Dr Derrick McKoy, Solicitor General Marlene Aldred, as well as constitutional law experts and members of academia, the private sector, and the wider society. Advertisement Move faster to help Ukraine, Rishi Sunak to urge allies England’s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is to urge allies to "move faster" in [arming Ukraine]( during a G7 meeting to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion. During a video call on Friday, the prime minister will say giving Ukraine a "decisive" edge in the conflict "must be our priority now". No 10 said he would make the case to supply the country with longer-range weapons. The call will come on a day of events to mark one year since the war began. There will be a minute's silence in the UK at 11.00 GMT, and Sunak will host Ukrainian troops at a Downing Street event. Other British political leaders will also mark the anniversary, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer calling for the UK to "double down" on support for Ukraine. The conflict, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February last year, has seen at least 100,000 of each side's soldiers killed or injured, according to the U.S. military. Thousands of civilians have also been killed, with more than 13 million people made refugees abroad or displaced within Ukraine. Ukraine has been urging its Western backers to increase support, as Russia mobilises ahead of an expected spring offensive. During the virtual meeting of leaders from the G7 group of advanced economies, Sunak is expected to say an acceleration in support is "what it will take to shift Putin's mindset". "This must be our priority now," he will add. "Instead of an incremental approach, we need to move faster on artillery, armour, and air defence." Sunak is expected to make the argument for supplying Ukraine with "longer-range weapons" to disrupt Russia's ability to target Ukraine's infrastructure, something to which he committed the UK earlier this month. England vs South Africa in Women’s T20 World Cup semifinal England are preparing for a "dog fight" in their Women's [T20 World Cup semi-final]( South Africa today, according to Katherine Sciver-Brunt. England have cruised into the semi-final unbeaten, while South Africa lost to Sri Lanka and Australia. The winner will play Australia in Sunday's final after their five-run win over India in Thursday's semi-final. "We had a game against them a couple of weeks ago where 500 runs were scored," said fast bowler Sciver-Brunt, 37. "That was a dog fight and it was only a practice. "That's what I love about South Africa, they are very passionate and they fight to the last ball and wear all emotions all over them - a bit like me." Sciver-Brunt started the World Cup poorly, but bounced back to form with 2-14 in England’s 114-run win against Pakistan where they posted 213-5, the highest total in the tournament's history. But despite England's superior record in the lead up to the semi-finals, South Africa are playing at home and as underdogs, may feel under less pressure. "The crowds are unbelievable, to the point where you can't hear yourself think," said Sciver-Brunt. "The crowd will be against us, but either way it'll be a great day, a special occasion, and obviously we hope to be on the winning side of it." England thrashed South Africa in the multi-format series that the teams played during the summer of 2022, and also beat them in the semi-final of the 50-over World Cup earlier that year. ICYMI: WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING Comedian Majah Hype jailed Well known comedian Majah Hype is [listed as an inmate]( in a prison in Georgia, facing charges for simple battery and felony charges of making 'terroristic threats and acts'. ‘WICKEDNESS’: Transport boss lashes Gov’t after motorist slapped with $500k fine Egeton Newman, president of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), is [calling for a re-examination of the Road Traffic Act]( by an international body over some of the more "draconian” measures outlined in the regulations. $1.1 billion allocated to boost growth of MSMEs and start-ups Just over [$1.1 billion has been allocated to continue the implementation of the Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) project]( to promote the sustainable and robust growth among start-ups and medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) in Jamaica. CLOVIS TOON TODAY IN HISTORY Raul Castro becomes Cuba's president [On this day]( in 2008, Raul Castro replaces his brother Fidel as Cuba’s president. For more stories, visit our website at www.jamaicaobserver.com or [sign up for our e-paper](. [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Website]( Copyright © 2023 Jamaica Observer, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 40 - 42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue Kingston 5 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.