This story has been updated from a previous version
In an extra-ordinary move, Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, has served notice that she’ll be seeking the death penalty for 23-year-old Rushane Barnett.
The man accused of killing Kimesha Wright and her four children in Cocoa Piece, Clarendon last week Tuesday.
Barnett was remanded in custody when he made his first appearance in the Home Circuit court Tuesday.
A psychiatric evaluation and other medical checks have been ordered.
Barnett is to return to court on Friday July 22.
Justice Leighton Pusey presided over the matter.
Robian Williams was in court.
Barnett who appeared in court without a lawyer has been charged with five counts of murder.
When asked if he had an attorney Barnett told Justice Pusey that he would have to call his family to “know what is what”.
A provisional assignment of a legal aid lawyer was made until further notice.
Lead prosecutor, Andrea Martin Swaby, pointed out that she would not go into detail as it relates to the nature of the allegations.
However, she stated that between midnight June 20 and 1:00 am June 21, the accused purportedly used a knife to inflict wounds to all five of the deceased.
Barnett fled the scene and allegedly deposited the knife along with other items some distance away.
The knife and those items were retrieved and identified to be the belongings of Barnett.
Barnett, who is the cousin of the slain mother, was apprehended at his parents’ home in Trelawny a day after the gruesome incident.
He reportedly confessed to the murders in a caution statement to the police.
Meanwhile, Justice Pusey explained to the accused man that the expedition of his case to the Supreme Court means that it will take a shorter time for the matter to go to trial.
When given the opportunity to speak, Barnett complained that he is being treated unfairly in lock up.
He says “mi nuh know if a di crime weh mi commit, but dem a threaten me and a lick mi inah mi back with baton, mi tell dem bout two days now seh mi back a hurt me and mi need fi guh doctor”.
Barnett went further to say “Your Honour di officers dem naaah tek nuh talk from mi still enuh”.
Justice Pusey assured Barnett that any action taken against him in custody which is outside the law will be dealt with.
The bodies of 31-year-old Kimesha Wright, 15-year-old Kimanda Smith; 11-year-old Shara-Lee Smith, five-year-old Rafaella Smith and 23- month-old Kishawn Henry, were found inside their home with their throats slashed.
The killings evoked widespread public outrage.
