Michael Issa trial begins

THE TRIAL of businessman Michael Issa, who is charged with indecent language, abusive language, and resisting arrest in relation to a past firearm charge, began on Monday in the St James Parish Court.

The investigative officer testified that Issa had previously reported his firearm missing on December 17, 2021, but later reported on December 19 that it had been found. However, according to the witness, Issa did not comply with instructions to bring the gun in for testing.

The court was further told that on January 30, 2022, Issa visited the Montego Bay Police Station with his lawyer, Gordon Brown, for reasons unrelated to the firearm.

The witness testified that when he confronted Issa about the gun, Issa hurled expletives at the officers and tried to resist when they sought to take him into custody. The trial continues on June 1.

Issa was arrested and charged with negligent loss of firearm, resisting arrest, and indecent language on the night of January 13, hours after his autistic nine-year-old stepson Gabriel King was murdered. It is understood that the loss of the firearm was not connected to the death of the child.