Trial begins in Jamaica for young man charged in April hijacking at Montego Bay airport

Trial begins for Jamaican charged in plane hijack

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A trial began Monday for a Jamaican man accused of taking a flight crew hostage on an airport tarmac.

Stephen Fray, 21, faces six charges, including robbery and assault, in the April 19 incident aboard a CanJet Airlines plane at Montego Bay’s airport. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Three passengers who were on the plane when Fray allegedly pushed his way aboard, brandishing a handgun, are among the first witnesses expected to testify.

Fray allegedly fired into the air, demanded to be flown off the island and took cash from passengers in a six-hour standoff that ended when commandos burst in and captured him. The motive remains unclear.

Authorities have described Fray as “mentally challenged,” without elaborating. A judge ruled Fray fit to stand trial after a government psychiatrist determined he is capable of understanding the charges.