Nationwide News can confirm that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has not yet indicated whether it will accept the guilty plea offered by former Member of Parliament, Jolyan Silvera, in relation to the death of his wife, Melissa.
That decision is expected when the matter is called up in court on Tuesday.
If the lesser charge of manslaughter is accepted by the prosecution and the presiding judge, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, the former legislator would face a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The former PNP lawmaker for Western St Mary on Monday indicated his willingness to plea guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the high profile case.
Silvera’s intention was apparently raised when he appeared in the Gun Court in Kingston on Monday.
At the previous court sitting in January, Silvera’s attorneys had applied for an independent examination of critical ballistic evidence, resulting in a delay to the proceedings.
Silvera is charged with murder, manslaughter and using a firearm to commit a felony.
Melissa Silvera was found dead at the couple’s home in Stony Hill, St Andrew, on November 10, 2023.
Jolyan was arrested and charged in January 2024 and has remained in custody since.
If the guilty plea is rejected, he faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted of his wife’s murder.
Silvera is being represented by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and attorney-at-law Patrice Riley.
