Panton, prosecutors weigh plea deal ahead of SSL trial

Lawyers representing Jean Ann Panton, the sole accused in the multibillion-dollar fraud case involving Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL), and the prosecution are to engage in discussions aimed at exploring the possibility of a plea agreement.
The development was disclosed yesterday when the matter came before Justice Simone Wolfe-Reece in the Home Circuit Court for a plea and case management hearing.
Before the disclosure, the prosecution informed the court that its file remained incomplete.
Attorney  Sylvester Hemmings, who was representing Panton along with John Clarke, complained that the defence has long been ready for trial and accused the Crown of delaying the proceedings.
“I hear my friend on the other side trying to give the Crown some indication as to their expediency and readiness, which they have not been. We have, over the years, been asking for this matter to be tried. They have been the ones trying to ‘circumcise’ the matter in a certain way,” he said.
Wolfe-Reece questioned the defence’s willingness to entertain plea discussions while simultaneously insisting that the matter proceed to trial.
The judge suggested that if the defence was committed to having the case tried, it should reject any discussions and move directly to trial.
“So, what are you entertaining them for, unless you are seeking to have a possible agreement of statements to shorten the proceedings? Either there is a genuine interest for discussions to be had or there is none,” she said.
Wolfe-Reece also said she would not revisit the issue of the previous trial date being vacated, noting that the immediate priority was to set a new trial date and establish a timetable for trial readiness.
Although maintaining that the matter should proceed to trial, Hemmings said he had remained silent on the issue for some time but was not  “feeling good” about how the matter was progressing.
Following further discussions, a trial date was agreed for February 10, 2027 and a trial readiness hearing for December 10.
The defence also indicated its intention to renew Panton’s bail application at that hearing.
However, Hemmings requested that the application be heard in chambers, arguing that certain matters to be raised would be more appropriately dealt with outside open court.
Wolfe-Reece then directed that the renewed bail application be made in writing. She ordered the defence to file its submissions by the end of September, with the Crown to respond by the end of October.
URGED TO ASSESS BEFORE COURT DATE
Addressing both parties, the judge urged them to properly assess the evidence and resolve any disclosure issues before appearing in court.
“If it is that you are seriously having discussions, then you ought to seriously assess all the material that you have before you say there is [a] challenge. You have to see the material.
“In my view, you can’t wait until the matter is before the court for the issue to be raised. That is not acceptable because the court is not the one making disclosure. Those issues need to be dealt with before the matter comes before the court,” she said.
Panton, who appeared in person and in a wheelchair, appeared to be in good spirits. Throughout the proceedings, she was seen taking notes as the matter was addressed before the court.
She was remanded until her next court date.
During the hearing, Hemmings raised concerns about conditions at the women’s correctional facility where his client is being held, telling the court that the prison authorities had suspended the practice of allowing relatives to bring food for inmates.
Hemmings argued that the development has adversely affected Panton, who, he said, suffers from a deteriorating medical condition that requires a special diet previously supplied by her family.
“When I go to the prison, what I see her eating, I wouldn’t give my cats,” Hemmings told the court.
Wolfe-Reece asked whether he had engaged the prison authorities to determine the reason for the policy and whether any accommodation could be made for his client. Hemmings indicated that he had not yet done so.
Panton has been in custody since February 2023. The former SSL client relations manager faces a 22-count indictment, charging her with forgery, larceny as a servant, and engaging in transactions involving criminal property.
She is the only person charged in connection with the fraud uncovered at the investment firm, which came to public attention in January 2023 after several clients reported significant losses from their investment accounts.
Among the affected investors is sprint legend Usain Bolt. An account held in the name of Welljen Limited, a company owned by Bolt, reportedly declined from approximately J$2 billion (US$12.7 million) in October 2022 to about J$1.8 million (US$12,000) by the time the fraud was uncovered. Bolt has not recovered any of the missing funds, according to his legal team.
tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com