‘If yuh do the crime ...’ - Cousin says Silvera deserved sentence

A cousin of Jolyan Silvera is adamant that the former St Mary Western member of parliament got exactly what he deserved for taking the life of his wife.

"If yuh do the crime, yuh affi do the time," he said, leaving no room for excuses or sympathy.

On Friday, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes handed down a sentence of 20 years and 10 months after Silvera pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Melissa at their Stony Hill, St Andrew, home in 2023. The court imposed 20 years for manslaughter and an additional 20 years and 10 months for the use of a firearm in committing the offence, with both sentences to run concurrently.

Silvera must serve at least 13 years before becoming eligible for parole.

David Evans, 59, says he grew up with Silvera in Gayle and attended St Siplin Basic School in Highgate with him.

"First time mi read it mi never believe. We went to school together," Evans told THE STAR.

Evans described Silvera as a quiet, non-violent man, making the events even more staggering.

"Mi never see him fight yet or use bad word. So surprising," he said.

Yet, Evans admitted that the sentence was deserved.

"Twenty years? If yuh do the crime yuh affi do the time. A mi cousin, enuh. Sorry fi hear weh him do, but him do the crime," he said.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Evans stressed how easily conflicts between couples can escalate.

"Sometimes we men allow woman fi draw we out. Sometimes all you have to do is walk away," he said. "Just lef out a the house and go take a walk."

He emphasised that physical violence is never a solution, especially when one partner has the clear upper hand.

"As a man it make you look weak when yuh hit woman. Him much stronger than her so gun never need fi come in it," Evans said. "Walk away and cool off."

For the community of Gayle, the incident is especially hard to swallow. Evans recalled Silvera as a generous, helpful man.

"He wasn't a mean guy. Mi see him help people often. Mi could call him out of any nickel and say 'Mr Silvera, me hungry' and him would say, 'This is my card number, don't take more than what you ask for,'" he said.

Evans believes better communication could have prevented the tragedy.

"Him shoulda talk to somebody. When yuh have relationship problems yuh fi talk to yuh friend dem," he said, adding that controlling emotions during heated moments is key.

"Him shoulda count from one to 20," he reasoned.