March 28, 2024
Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Jamaica
THE COURTS

Freed of causing road death 3 years ago

A St. Ann man who was charged with causing death by dangerous driving was freed last week Wednesday, November 5, in the St. Ann Circuit Court.
Ricardo Wright walked from the courtroom a free man after the prosecution offered no evidence against him in a case where he was accused of causing the death of a motorcyclist in the parish almost three years ago.
The prosecution said they had no eyewitness to the accident which claimed the life of Orville Heslop of Harrison Town in Ocho Rios, and would have difficulty proving that Wright was operating his motor vehicle in a dangerous manner when the accident occurred. Crown counsel Cadeen Barnett told the court that because there were no witnesses, the prosecution would have to rely on the evidence from the police accident and reconstruction unit, and that there was not enough evidence to dispute any material the defense might bring in the case. She said the prosecution could not prove that Wright drove in a dangerous manner on the road and that the manner in which he drove on the day of the accident caused Heslop’s death. She said the crown was offering no evidence against Wright based on its evidential material.Wright was represented in court by Nathan Geddes Morrison.
Justice Courtney Daye instructed the seven member jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty against the accused.
Wright was charged following a motor vehicle accident along the Roaring River main road in St. Ann on November 21, 2011 during which Heslop was killed. Reports are that are that sometime after 6 p. m. on Monday, November 21, Heslop was driving his motor bike towards Mammee Bay, when he collided with the motor car driven by Wright which was heading towards Ocho Rios.Heslop whose hand was severed died on the spot and Wright was treated at hospital and released.