Mother Takes Stand as Character Witness for Defendant

The defense continued their case presentations in court during the Klansman Gang Trial on Monday, June 27, 2022. Their attempt to present prison records for their clients was thwarted by the prosecution. The mother of one of the accused testified in her son’s defense. She says the surprising charges against her son do not speak to who she knows him to be. The case for Brian Morris was reopened to introduce a character witness for the accused. Morris, a defendant in the Klansman gang trial is charged with being a member of a criminal organization, arson and murder.

When his mother took the stand, she held back tears as she testified in his defense. She describes her son as a quiet, hardworking young man. She says his arrest devastated her. She says she raised her children to be law abiding citizens therefore, she expects nothing less. She told the court Monday that feeling lives with her even now.

Morris delivered his unsworn statement in court last week, professing his innocence. He denied being a don, committing murder and being part of the Klansman Gang. The defense also made an effort to present the subpoenaed custody diaries from the Horizon Remand Center and Spanish Town Lockup. However the records from the horizon remand center could not be shared because, as the prosecution pointed out, the statutory requirements were not met. Meaning, even if the record were read, it would be inadmissible evidence. 

The details regarding how records are taken and kept in the Spanish Town facility could not be shared since it is aligned with the criminal investigations branch. Lawyers of the defense will regroup in an attempt to share the records with the court later this week.

Court continues on Tuesday at 10 am.

Reporter: Jhanielle Powell