Appeal filed by double murder convict delayed until April next year

Double murder convict Mervin Cameron, whose six-year delay in custody awaiting trial led to a landmark ruling in 2018 that his constitutional rights were breached, suffered another delay today when his appeal against convictions was put off to April next year.

When the matter came before the Court of Appeal today, it was disclosed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had not responded to the submissions that were submitted in May against his convictions.

The court gave the office until Friday to respond to the submissions.

Attorney-at-law Hugh Wildman, who is representing Cameron, referred to the history of the case and highlighted the fact that there was a ruling in Cameron's favour for constitutional breach to trial within a reasonable time.

Wildman also referred to the delay in getting the transcript after Cameron was convicted.

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Damages are to be assessed following the Constitutional Court's ruling and Cameron is seeking compensation of $30 million.

The court in its ruling in March 2018 had said it could not decide the level of compensation until the criminal matter against him was determined.

In the 40 grounds of appeal filed, Cameron is seeking to have his convictions quashed so he can be freed.

Cameron was convicted in June 2019 for the murder of Barrington Davis, deputy chief of security at Jamaica Post, and his girlfriend Patricia Limont-Barnswell.

They were kidnapped from Davis' home in St John's Heights in August 2012.

Their decomposed bodies were found with multiple gunshot wounds in a canefield in Innswood, St Catherine.

Cameron was convicted of the double murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

He was ordered to serve 35 years' imprisonment before he can be eligible for parole.

- Barbara Gayle