Fray

WESTERN BUREAU:

Six witnesses turned up at the Western Regional Gun Court to give evidence against 22-year-old accused hostage-taker Stephen Fray, who pleaded not guilty to 10 gun-related charges at the start of his trial yesterday.

In addition to the six, Canadian witnesses are expected to return to Jamaica to participate in the trial, which may run for weeks. The Canadians were on the aircraft on which Fray allegedly held more than 160 passengers hostage on the night of April 19.

Yesterday, it was a well-groomed Fray who appeared in court and, in a departure from his previous appearances, he showed signs of recognition of members of his family who were there to offer moral support.

The last time he appeared, he was judged fit to plead, after several sessions and treatment with medication to treat paranoid schizophrenia, a psychotic disorder.

He was assessed and treated by government psychiatrist Dr Kevin Golbourne.

The doctor stated, "The alleged offences had been influenced by delusions (false beliefs that have no factual basis) involving persons after him, a bug watching him, a chip motivating him or programming him to take up the gun, and persons helping him on to the plane".

Golbourne further stated that the delusions had not changed significantly in spite of treatment, and might or might not subside with time and treatment.

In the meantime, Fray, who also answered to lesser charges in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, is set to return there August 4 for trial.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com