yesterday with 24 people appearing before Chief Justice Austin Ward.

Admitted killer Ryan Ball will be sentenced on April 10 for the manslaughter of Jermaine Pitcher while his co-accused, Jamal Robinson and Keniel Ingham, will return to the Supreme Court on April 1 for mention. A trial date will be set at that time.

After nearly a year on remand at Westgate Correctional Facility, Robinson and Ingham were released on bail early last month.

They appeared before Mr. Justice Ward yesterday wearing casual clothes and without handcuffs, unlike Ball who is on remand pending sentencing.

Also yesterday, three Jamaican men pleaded guilty to drug importation charges.

Jeffrey Fitzgerald Sharpe and David Lloyd Simister were indicted separately before Mr. Justice Ward, despite being jointly charged in Magistrates' Court in December.

Sharpe 29, admitted importing $112,500 worth of cocaine on December 13.

Simister, 32, admitted importing $83,000 of cocaine and $1,900 of cannabis the same day.

Both denied possessing the same drugs with intent to supply. They will be sentenced on March 6.

It is understood the men excreted the drugs when in Police and Customs custody.

Their countryman, Zenith crewman Deaneo Martino Stewart will be sentenced on March 9 for importing cannabis on or before October 2.

The Ocean District, St. Anne's Parish man denied possessing the cannabis with intent to supply.

And Clifton Hopeton Morrison made yet another appearance in court for his long running drug importation and possession case.

He was arrested in February 1999 and has had one full trial, and two aborted trials since then.

Morrison will reappear for mention on April 2 when a trial date may be set.