WESTERN BUREAU:

The Canadian CanJet stewardess who disarmed alleged hijacker Stephen Fray, the pilot who was reportedly shot at, and the airline's security officer were the witnesses who gave evidence in the CanJet Charter flight hijacking case yesterday in Montego Bay.

The case had been in recess for almost a month after Stephen Fray pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of gun-related charges in mid-July in the Western Regional Gun Court.

The 22-year-old accused made headlines internationally for allegedly attempting to hijack a CanJet aircraft with 160 passengers aboard at the Sangster International Airport on Sunday, April 19.

Paranoid schizophrenia

Fray's defence team, headed by attorney George Thomas, has long said that Fray, who the doctors said is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, needs to be placed in an institution where he can be treated. They are expected to continue that line when they get their say in court.

Thomas, commenting on the day in court, would only say that the Canadian witnesses were able to tell the court what had taken place on the flight. Thomas also pointed out that it was quite possible that the Crown could finish its case today. "And if they do, I won't need more than two days to wrap up," he said.

In the meantime, highly placed sources told The Gleaner the Canadian witnesses said Fray said he wanted to leave Jamaica because he was in trouble.

The CanJet pilot reportedly said Fray declared himself God while he held the passengers captive. The security officer said Fray told him they both needed to get some drugs.

It is not clear how many more witnesses are to be called in the case, but in July, six persons took the stand.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com