Prominent attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend has raised serious concerns about the prolonged legal battle facing his client, dancehall artiste Munga Honorable, arguing that his constitutional right to a fair trial within a reasonable timeframe has been breached. “A reasonable time is an average of five years, but at this stage, after seven years, without full disclosure, how can we now trust that we can even rely on this information that remains outstanding?” Townsend questioned. The embattled entertainer, whose real name is Damian Rhoden, is set to return to the Supreme Court on April 30, 2025, to answer to murder charges in connection with the 2017 killing of Cleveland Smith.
The latest delay stems from the prosecution’s failure to provide full disclosure, specifically a key phone data report that has yet to be shared with the defence. Townsend expressed his frustration over the incomplete case file, stating, “Having held out for seven years, I am now concerned as to what this report will come and say.” He further noted that the prolonged proceedings have created significant obstacles, including difficulty in locating a key witness crucial to Munga’s defence. “One of the things we fear is that come the date of the trial, we will hear that they (the prosecution) have a problem with their witnesses and their availability,” he added.
According to police reports, Cleveland Smith was confronted by a group of men at a dance in Ackee Walk, St. Andrew, where an altercation ensued, resulting in Smith being shot. He later succumbed to his injuries at the Kingston Public Hospital. Despite these allegations, Munga Honorable has consistently maintained his innocence, even taking to social media before the initial trial date to plead for justice, stating, “I stand by my innocence. #FREETOGO.”
As Munga Honorable’s legal battle drags on, Townsend has called for urgent reform within the judicial system, urging the Director of Public Prosecution’s office, the judiciary, and the legal bar to take decisive action. “We have to dump some cases that have been before the court for an inordinate amount of time. In a mature democracy, why can’t we dispense justice in a reasonable time?” he argued. Meanwhile, Munga, known for hits such as Nah Mad and Bad From Me Born, continues to navigate the turbulent intersection of his music career and an ongoing legal battle that has clouded his professional trajectory for nearly a decade.
