The night Peter Tosh was killed
Crimes that rocked the nation
Sybil E Hibbert

Sunday, April 22, 2012

HOW did the internationally known Jamaican icon and reggae singer, Peter Tosh — second only in fame to the legendary Bob Marley — really die?
And, after the impact of his brutal murder hit the local and foreign Press, what other sensation could one have imagined the blood-thirsty killers had in mind, when they also massacred, in one sitting, well-known broadcaster and disc jockey, Jeff Dixon, o/c Free I; and another man, known as Wilton Brown?
Mick Jagger (left) of the Rolling Stones, joins reggae musician Peter Tosh in duet during rehearsal for NBC-TV’s Saturday Night Live programme on Friday, December 16, 1978 in New York. (Photo: AP)
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And, to add spice it seemed, to the whole movie-like script, the common-law wife of Tosh, Marlene Brown; the wife of Free I; and visitors Michael Robinson and Santa Davis, survived to re-visit this bloodcurdling tale. But not before Marlene Brown went through agony, as at first blush, it was thought a bullet had lodged at the back of her head.
She went, as Jamaicans would say, “to death’s door”.
Mr Justice Patterson (later appeal judge) and a jury heard all about this tragic story in the No 1 Home Circuit Court in 1988.
It was a story that would be followed well beyond the shores of this beautiful Caribbean island. Winston McIntosh, known to his legion of fans as Peter Tosh, the ‘Stepping Razor’, was part of the trio the Wailers — the other being Neville Bunny Wailer Livingston and Robert Nesta Marley, known to the world as Bob Marley.
He was known for his biting lyrics and radical disposition that endeared him to those who opposed “the establishment”. To symbolise this, he carried a guitar in the shape of an M-16 rifle. And it was, ironically, by the gun that he would meet his end.
Dennis Lobban, familiarly called “Leppo”, appeared before the court charged with the multiple murder of: Wilton Brown; Peter Tosh and Jeff Dixon, o/c Free I, a well-known Rastafarian broadcaster and disc jockey on the now defunct
Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) radio.
Mr Kent Pantry, retired Director of Public Prosecutions, the then Counsel for the prosecution, marshalled the evidence.
The murders were alleged to have taken place at the Barbican Road residence of Tosh, while he and Marlene Brown, whom he named his “Empress” had been entertaining a group of friends.
Ever heard the Jamaican proverb “Sorry fi mawgah dawg, mawgah dawg tun ‘roun bite yuh?” Well, that proverb, I would say, sums up adequately what allegedly happened in this case.
For the learned trial judge and jury were treated to a tale from witnesses for the prosecution, the likes of which makes screen writers in Hollywood sign on the dotted line.
In effect, the witnesses related how Tosh had fed, nurtured and even provided a new bed for Lobban, who had recently been released from prison. Lobban had been allowed to visit the Barbican Road residence from time to time and had even become familiar with the trained dogs therein.
On the night of September 11, 1987, he and two other gunmen entered the home, robbed all the persons there, then shot and killed Tosh, Free I and Wilton Brown. Marlene Brown, who was also shot, played dead and survived.
Indeed, all the persons present, were shot, after being ordered to lie face down on the floor.
The popular word on the street was that Lobban felt betrayed after allegedly serving jail time in place of Tosh. But that was not the evidence that came out in court.
Dennis “Leppo” Lobban appeared in court later, looking like the victim rather than the cruel monster the prosecution was seeking to prove that he was. Attorney R L Williams was representing him.
Night of horror
It was Marlene Brown’s testimony that about 7:30 pm on September 11, 1987, Tosh and herself were at home with friends, enjoying a private, peaceful evening watching a programme by satellite, in their living room.
Amidst drinks and subdued laughter, the night’s quietude was shattered by the unexpected entry of “Leppo” Lobban, accompanied by two gunmen, hitherto unknown to her. Lobban was toting a gun. They were ordered to “belly it”. She understood that to mean, they should lie face down. Lobban demanded “US currency”.
Brown explained that Tosh had recently returned from a business trip to the United States where he was expecting to be paid in US dollars. Lobban seemed to have overheard bits of telephone conversation prior to Tosh’s visit to the US and had, it
seemed, planned the robbery. Tosh responded to Lobban that he had no money. Lobban then complained that Tosh was giving his woman “authority over we” and that she, Marlene, was responsible for the inability of Tosh “to maintain we”. Brown heard Lobban instruct the two men who accompanied him to disarm Tosh, as “he was a Black Belt”, whereupon Tosh was frisked and gunbutted; he seemed unconscious. When she objected to the remarks made by Lobban, witness testified that Lobban threatened to kick Tosh, who was lying there helpless on the floor.
Just about then, witness recalled, there was a knock at the door. One of the gunmen opened the door. Free I and his wife were ushered in. They too, were ordered to lie face down on the floor. Free I objected and a gun was jammed into his side. He obeyed. They were all stripped of their jewellery and other personal effects.
What followed after was a barrage of shots. Tosh, Free I and Wilton Brown was killed instantly.
Marlene Brown was shot in the head but lived.
When the men were about to leave, one of them observed: “She no dead!” He was about to turn back, but Lobban commanded: “Come! She dead a’ready.” Michael Robinson, another survivor, gave evidence pretty much similar to that of Marlene Brown. The widow of Jeff Dixon, o/c Free I, knew none of the gunmen, including Lobban. She never attended an identification parade.
The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Superintendent Isadore “Dick” Hibbert, (now retired Asstistant Commissioner of Police, i/c Crime Portfolio) testified, that Lobban was later taken into custody as a result of a confession of a co-accused (who waited nearby the crime scene, in a get-away car on the night of the murders, heard the barrage of shots, then transported the men in the car, away from the scene).
The journal of Asst Commissioner of Police (ret’d) Isadore ‘Dick’ Hibbert
Steve Russell, a taxi driver of a St Andrew address was taken into custody for questioning in connection with this investigation. He revealed that prior to the murders, he had been engaged by “Leppo” Lobban to transport him and two men in his taxi to the Barbican Road residence of Tosh. He was not advised as to the purpose of the visit.
On the night of the murders, Lobban and two men boarded his taxi in the vicinity of the Carib Theatre at Cross Roads, St Andrew, as arranged. He was told by Lobban to wait at a particular point, while they went to the house.
Sometime after the three left, he heard several gunshots and he saw “Leppo” and the other two men running towards his taxi; all three men running, each with “gun in hand”.
According to Russell’s story, Lobban shouted to him: “Drive! Drive!”
All three men jumped into the taxi. He drove as directed. Not a word was spoken.
He had been driving along the Half-Way-Tree Road when he noticed a police radio car, following closely behind him. Russell, in the statement, told how, on reaching in the vicinity of the Carib Theatre, “Leppo” Lobban and the other two men jumped from the taxi and escaped.
The following morning, Russell heard on the news about the murders of Peter Tosh and two others, as well as the shooting of other persons, at the Barbican Road residence to which he had transported Lobban and the other two men.
As a result, the witness stated, he went to see Police Constable Leonard Austin at Austin’s home in Cooreville Gardens, off the Washington Boulevard. He had gone there to seek Austin’s advice as to what he should do; Austin told him “to keep quiet.”
That was the reason why, according to Russell, he had not gone to the police station to report the matter.
I went to see Constable Austin. I was accompanied by a team of detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department. I told him what Russell had said and enquired of him whether it was true.
Austin said it was not. I pointed out to him that a man’s life depended heavily on his — the constable’s — story. Austin replied: “I never spoke to him.”
Consequently, Russell was arrested and charged in connection with the murders of Peter Tosh, Free I and Wilton Brown.
Lobban was brought into the CID Headquarters by a Roman Catholic priest sometime afterwards. He was interviewed briefly by me in connection with the names of the two men who accompanied him to Tosh’s Barbican Road residence on the night of the murders. He refused to give their names or to give any information.
He was arrested and charged jointly with Russell for the murders of Peter Tosh, Free I and Wilton Brown.
Following a preliminary inquiry in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court, both men subsequently appeared for trial in the Home Circuit Court.
The learned trial judge, in the course of the trial, overruled an objection taken by Counsel for the defence, Mr Williams, to have the portion of the confession, which implicated his client (Lobban) expunged from the record prior to it being admitted in evidence; basis being that the prejudicial effect outweighed its probative value.
At the end of the prosecution’s case, Russell was acquitted, following a no-case submission put forward by his counsel. The judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of ‘not guilty’. Russell was discharged.”
Leppo’s alibi
Lobban’s defence was an alibi.
He took an unusual step — he gave evidence on Oath from the witness box.
It was his story that both Marlene Brown and Michael Robinson, whom he knew before, were “carrying feelings” for him and therefore, were motivated by malice, in the evidence each gave against him.
In relation to Marlene Brown, he claimed that at one time, in the presence of Tosh, she had called him “a f…ing liar” and a “news carrier to Tosh”. In spite of all that, he told the court, he nonetheless ate the food she cooked and offered to him.
But, as regards Robinson, witness was of the view that Robinson was jealous of him. He recalled an occasion when Robinson had asked Tosh for money; Tosh gave Robinson J$500, remarking that he had no money. Robinson was not happy. At the same time, Tosh had remarked that he, Lobban, was his brethren. The next time he saw Robinson at Barbican Road and he spoke to Robinson, Tosh claimed he was given the “cold shoulder”.
Convicted on all counts, Lobban appealed to the Court of Appeal. On June 11, 1990 the court ruled inter alia:
“…that a powerful case was made out against the applicant which fully supports his conviction on each of the three counts of murder. In the result, we came to the conclusion that there is no merit in the grounds argued before us.”
The appeal was dismissed.
Dennis “Leppo” Lobban is now serving a term of life imprisonment behind the walls of the General Penitentiary, now the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre) on Tower Street in Kingston.
Lobban’s company is being kept by former Police Constable Leonard Austin who was subsequently convicted for the murder of 54-year-old Ludlow Campbell, security supervisor employed at Kingston Wharves Ltd and resident of Washington Gardens, and is also serving a life sentence at the Tower Street facility.
Next week: Beverley Champagnie: Murderer with the face of an angel and the heart of a devil
Sybil E Hibbert is a veteran journalist and retired court reporting specialist. She is also the wife of Retired ACP Isadore Hibbert. Send comments to [email protected]

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/The-night-Peter-Tosh-was-killed#ixzz1yOXn1zkg

Havana: The strains of the Indian national anthem filled the iconic revolution square in Havana as India’s foreign Minister SM Krishna started his three-day visit to the Cuban capital by paying homage to the father of the Cuban revolution, Jose Marti. He was then ceremonially greeted by all the 180 ambassadors to Cuba from the world over at the foreign ministry.

It was an unprecedented welcome by Cuba for an old friend whose world view was identical at one point of time in history but which has taken a very different path since then. While India has had an embassy in Cuba for the past 50 years, this is the first visit of a foreign minister in 23 years – a time during which much has changed in both countries and in the rest of the world. Neither side acknowledged the drifting of ties in the middle. Minister Krishna opened his bilateral meeting with his Cuban counterpart saying, “There is a special place for Cuba and the Cuban people in India’s heart.”

Cuba and India have historically had strong relations since the revolution in 1959. India was among the first countries to recognise Cuba and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was among the first major world leaders to visit Havana in 1960. The personal role of President Castro in forging the India-Cuba alliance is well known. The image of him embracing Indira Gandhi while handing over the NAM chairmanship to her in 1983 has become iconic. But in a world where international affairs are ruled increasingly by pragmatism, the challenge for New Delhi is whether it can build on the goodwill of a historic alliance, based largely on an increasingly irrelevant ideology, and craft a new partnership for a new world.

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The apparent warmth and bonhomie on Mr Krishna’s three-day visit is reflective of both countries’ desire to strengthen and renew relations and take it to the next level.

According to Mr Krishna, “Our political relations are excellent, but we must give greater economic content to those ties.” Bilateral trade between India and oil rich Cuba reached its highest level in the 1980s when it topped $300 million annually. It currently stands at around $30 million a year. Krishna also announced that India’s commerce and industry minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, will travel to Cuba in July to “open new horizons” in bilateral economic cooperation.

Already ONGC has invested over 70 million US dollars in oil exploration in Cuba’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a move welcomed by the Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez who expressed his appreciation saying, “We welcome the powerful Indian oil companies with international activity and I hope that this business can be in mutual interest and profitability for both our countries.”

Foreign minister Krishna’s itinerary over the past week has looked like something out of a James Bond movie. He has travelled for bilateral talks from China to the US and now to Cuba, an ideological rival of Washington. Whether it is coincidence or plain logistical sense taking into consideration world geography, the Indian foreign minister’s transcontinental travels reflects India’s determination to balance diverse partners in an increasingly interlinked and multi-colour world.

OK so my homegirl sent me a pic of this girls leg (at least so I thought) come to find out a minute later she sent another pic with a penis being revealed , so I texted her back which dude is that with that small ass penis , and to my surprise she sent me this picture of this cute guy known as Hubo that lives down in Florida who hangs around with “supposedbly” (Edited) Popeye. Then I asked how did you know its him, and she said trust me once u look at his pics u will know. So I sent him a friend request on FB and I notice every pose he does he makes this same stanz (not sure if thats how u spell it) . Then the tatoos matched as well. Poor thing Met, he so cute, I guess if your blessed in one area, other areas you cant be so blessed (shrugs) him still cute doe, but mi wudda haffi past dat , caz dat na mek it.

DEN SENDER ME TINK DI MAN HAVE A GOOD SIZE IS WHAT UNNO WANT SUH??

p.s UNNO KNOW MI CYAA SHOW DI PIC UNNO SI IT ALREADY LAST WEEK

Dear Taiwo,
I am in a state of confusion and sorrow. I have always believed blood is thicker than water, but I never knew it could be to the state of complete blindness. I thought I knew my husband of over 15 years but alas, I have been so wrong. I never for once believed that my husband would take a sibling’s words against his nuclear family’s.

Oba and I met the very first day I started my first job at his branch. It was love at first sight and for the two of us; it was serious business from the beginning. The snag however was his mother who for one reason or the other had something against the tribe I come from.

She did not hide her displeasure for Ekiti people, she is from Ijebu and I always wondered why because we all are Yoruba. Her displeasure did not stop at the tribal sentiment, she extended it to me. It became a source of worry, but Oba always told me not to worry as she would get over it. Unfortunately, she never did. Instead of the issue getting better, it started spreading and taking root in their family as his siblings began to take sides.

His dad, was a pleasant man and he showed his displeasure all the time when Oba’s mother discriminated against to me. I really did not know why, but his only female sibling and I did not get on. She always took sides with their mother. I tried all I could to get close to her, but I wasn’t lucky.

I always thanked my stars that Oba and I got married before his father’s demise. Probably I wouldn’t have got married to him if his father died before we did. Oba and I got married two years after we met, some people felt it was too early, but for us we would have wished it was earlier. We had a beautiful home. We were happy with each other. The only comma we had was when we had to wait for the fruit of the womb for two years, but the waiting was bearable because we had each other. Although, Oba’s mother wanted to create problems, but the Lord was on my side.

I gave birth to Eyitayo three years after my marriage and his sister came to stay with us not long after. Oba’s father died not long after my second child was born. After Oba father’s death, his sister travelled abroad with her fiancée. No one knew exactly what happened, but not long after she left, the relationship broke; but she did not return to the country immediately.

She however came back two years ago and things have not been easy for her. She still remained unmarried. She stayed with her mother for some months in Ibadan and Oba later suggested that she moved to Lagos. He helped her secured a job and accommodation was no problem as we have a boys quarter apartment that no one occupied in our house.

I had no objection to her staying with us; I felt it was a good development. I saw an opportunity to befriend her and I tried my best to do just this. I never allowed her to cook or do anything, my house keeper combines her chores and her cooking with ours. It was just an extension of the house. Oba wanted privacy for her and her apartment was just good for his wish.

My son turned 12 three months ago, a student of Junior Secondary School 2, he looks so much like Oba’s father and he equally has his mannerism. In fact, we all call him Baba because of his attitude; level headed and loving. He cares about everyone and loves his aunty. He made it a point of duty to check her every evening before going to bed and once in a while, she too would take the children out on her free weekends.

On this fateful Saturday evening, Eyitayo went to see his aunty, who had been in the house throughout the day. He, however, came back few hours later looking uncomfortable. This was rather unusual because nothing rattles him easily.

Initially, I ignored him. Probably he misbehaved and his aunty scolded him. When I later noticed that he was unusually quiet, I asked him what the problem was. He said he was okay, but I knew he wasn’t saying the truth. After much probing, he came out with what was eating him up.

He had a terrible experience at his aunt’s. His description of his experience resembled sexual harassment and molestation. I really could not comprehend the meaning of what he told me, but when the realisation dawned on me, I refused to believe it could happen in my family. I had no reason not to believe my son. I know him very well and I know he wouldn’t tell lies.

I was confused, I didn’t t want to believe it was true, so I went to my sister-in-law’s apartment to raise the issue with her.Shockingly, I met her drinking and smoking, something I never thought or knew she was into. Had I known, I would have left. But because I realised she wasn’t drunk, I raised what my son told me with her. In my heart, I never wanted to believe it.

I expected that she would deny it. But she neither denied nor admitted the allegation, only to quarrel with me.

In fact, she would have beaten me up if my house-keeper hadn’t intervened. She called me different names and said I shouldn’t think I am a superstar because I have a husband, kids and home. I was stunned; I had to narrate what my son told me to my housekeeper. When my children saw what was going on, Eyitayo especially began to cry.

My housekeeper asked that we all move inside and let my husband know what happened when he returned. I phoned him and he pleaded that I should allow him return, his sister however, called my mother-in-law who later spoke with my husband. When Oba came in, he was a different man from the husband and father I had called earlier who pleaded with me to hold on till he came back.

Oba accused my son and I of framing up and accusing his sister of sexual harassment. I was shocked. You wouldn’t believe that this issue generated so many problems that for two weeks running now, I have been out of my matrimonial home with my children. The situation is so bad now that Eyitayo is badly affected. He kept crying because his father did not believe him and this led to his being sent out of the house.

What should I do? Please, somebody help me. This issue has generated so much wahala. Sides are being taken. My mother-in-law is now in my home supporting her daughter. I trust that my son will not lie. I am so handicapped. My mother and my siblings are giving their support and some of my husband’s family members are against his subjective attitude. I don’t understand why Oba suddenly turned against my children and I. I don’t want to lose my home and my husband. Help me.

Ola.

DI MAN IS NOT YOUR OWN…HIM DONT BUSINESS WID NUHBADDIE..AND BEFORE YUH GO FURTHER YUH CAREER YUH SIDUNG  A WAIT PAN ADDI SKY FI FALL..A YOUNG GIRL LIKE YOU WHEY NUHBADDIE NEVA EVEN KNOW SEH KARTEL A TEK WEIGHT OFF A YUH (KAW  YUH SURE ROUN UP SINCE HIM LOCK UP)…YUH A HYPE BOUT ADDI DIS AND DAT TILL YUH ALL GO TELL LIE FI ADDI WHEY NOT EVEN HIM OOMAN DO BUT YOU WHEY NUHBADDIE NEVA KNOW BOUT GO DWEET.. MI NAH LIE HIM LOVE YUH BAD SUH TILL MEMBA A ONLY HALF PACK A HAIR YUH USED TO WEAR AND SUH………..WASH AND DRY BACK DI RED PIECE AND DRAP IT INA DI FRONT NUH SUH…HIM LOVE YUH BAD MI NAH GO LIE…………..A  YUH ONE HIM KETCH A FIRE…GWAAN CHRU HENNY PENNY YUH A HAPPENNNNNNNNNNNNNN

1. 

   PaRis Paradise

   12 minutes ago via mobile

   Funny how life is;the one that u think love u really badmind u an dont want to see u have nothing….just like the evils dem shm …on u alvin to steal from your own baby.. Soooo evillllllllll i dont want your ring anymore u diss the prince..cause u want flap your own son party shm; good over evil everyday…….cause true seh a a him first child had a big icon party ; the devil alway want stop meee when mi a step up in life shm a wha my father a so me born fi badmind try fi stop mi all the time shm meee love fi see ghetto people step up;an one thing alllllls badmind people can never seh bout me i never stop dem when dem a step up in life dow…………… God is not sleepin .

   • • PaRis Paradise The ring a cause too much badmind on me an iam sooooo tired for people to hate on me; mi really dont want the ring cause all the man a run come badmind now to how dem a hate pan mi a road ; an him come steal my son money weh me have fi keep up my one son prince icon party omg !

       about a minute ago via mobile · Like