Fray

WESTERN BUREAU:

Accused hijacker Stephen Fray's lawyer George Thomas wants the Supreme Court to grant his client privilege to be placed in an institution where he can be treated for paranoid schizophrenia.

Fray, who appeared in court yesterday, is now fit to plead the charges levelled against him in the St James Gun Court and the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court after several sessions and treatment with medication to alleviate a psychotic disorder. He was assessed and treated by government psychiatrist Dr Kevin Golbourne.

Charges

Fray is being held on nine counts of illegal possession of a firearm, shooting with intent and robbery with aggravation, assault at common law and breaches of the Airports Act.

Stephen Fray made the news locally and internationally when he allegedly attempted to hijack a CanJet chartered aircraft at the Sangster International Airport on Sunday, April 19. The plane, which had more than 160 passengers aboard, was scheduled to depart for Cuba, en route to Halifax in Canada.

Fray's attorney said in court that based on the interviews done with Dr Golbourne, "the alleged offences were influenced by delusions (false beliefs that have no factual basis), involving persons after him, a bug watching him, chip motivating him or programming him to take up the gun, and persons helping him on to the plane".

Dr Golbourne's testament further states that the delusions had not changed significantly in spite of treatment and may or may not subside with time and treatment.

His conclusion was corroborated by one of the country's most respected psychiatrists, Dr Wendel Abel, who was hired by Fray's defence team.

Psychotic symptoms

In his summary, Dr Abel said clinical findings were consistent with the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, evidenced by the presence of psychotic symptoms such as auditory hallucinations, delusions of persecution and loosening association.

Research has shown that Fray is not the only member of his family that suffers from this condition, as at least two other close members have had challenges in the past.

As a result of the findings, Dr Abel is recommending that Fray be removed from jail and placed at either the 10th floor of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay or Ward 21 at the University Hospital in Kingston.

In the meantime, the lawyer representing the Civil Aviation Authority of Jamaica, Jacqueline Cummings, told The Gleaner that she is not asking for a trial date just yet, she wants the case mentioned because there are two aspects to Fray's state of mind. "The state of mind at the time the offence was committed and state of mind of coming to court and to trial."

The attorney said that although Dr Golbourne said Fray is fit to plea the question arises was he fit at the time he committed the offence: "Did he know what he was doing."

Fray returns to court on July 13 where the case is set for trial in the Gun Court and up for mention in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com