Jamaican Government Gives Highjacker 20-Years In Prison

October 12. 2009

Steven Fray, 21, was sentenced to 83-years in prison, to run currently, amounting to 20-years incarceration in a Jamaican prison, for conducting the nation’s first ever plane hijacking.

Fray, stormed past security at one of Jamaica’s smaller, private airports and took a Canjet airplane hostage. Fray used a gun, which he discharged into the air, demanding the plane be flown to neighboring Cuba.

It was stated he was distraught over the end of a relationship with a woman in Florida. His lawyers tried to plead insanity, but the prosecutor and the judge would not hear of it. They have, however, decreed he is to receive psychiatric treatment in prison.

Side Bar: I know the Jamaican legal system well, as one of my relatives has worked extensively in it, on the side of the law, for many years and told me much about it growing up. Therefore, I don’t know why the hijacker thought the government would stand for something like this. He should have known better.

20-years in a Jamaican prison is not going to be a cakewalk, but his conduct was very egregious. I am not of the belief that people who do such things should roam around free in society, anywhere in the world. Clearly, based on what the government stated in articles, they are sending a message that such conduct will not be tolerated.

83 year sentence for Fray 

Thursday, 08 October 2009 - Stephen Fray.Convicted would-be hijacker Stephen Fray was sentenced to a total of 83 years when he faced the Western Regional Gun Court in Montego Bay, St. James on Thursday.

He will however only serve a maximum of 20 years as the sentences are to run concurrently...

However after listening to the report plus an interview with the psychiatrist Dr. Wendell Abel for the second time, the judge sentenced Fray to 20 years on the three counts of shooting with intent and robbery with aggravation.

He was also given 18 years on the illegal possession of a firearm charge while the two counts of assault were discharged. He was also given one year each for the lesser charges.

Judge didn't consider his mental illness - defense attorney

Mr. Thomas believes that the judge did not take all the factors into consideration before handing down her sentence...

It was on April 19th that Fray eluded security personnel at the Sangster International Airport and attempted to hijack a CanJet flight with more than 200 passengers onboard, destined for Halifax, Canada.

He was disarmed by a flight attendant some eight hours later and a special armed forces team which stormed the plane.

http://www.radiojamaica.com