The Justice presiding over the Aneka ‘Slickianna Townsend murder case denied the accused, Rushawn Patterson, bail. Patterson appeared before the St James Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
Justice Andrea Thomas ruled not to grant Patterson bail despite his attorney’s, Dionne Meyler-Barrett, application. She argued that he needed medical attention, which is difficult to access while locked up. She also stated that the prosecution’s evidence against her client was circumstantial.
Meyler-Barrett also stated that Patterson’s safety was at risk in the lock-up. And she assured the judge that, if granted bail, the accused would comply with the conditions set.
In explaining her reason for refusing to grant the accused bail, Justice Andrea Thomas referenced the prosecution’s allegations that suggested Patterson had allegedly given the police conflicting information regarding his knowledge of Townsend’s whereabouts before residents found her floating body in the Caribbean sea in Reading, St James on October 21, 2022.
The Crown also mentioned that Patterson has another matter before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, where he is accused of assault against another woman concerning an alleged incident in 2018. As a result, the judge has remanded him concerning that charge.
“The allegations of the Crown are serious enough and sufficient enough to form the view that, if granted bail, the accused man will not return. At this time, bail is denied,” said Thomas.
Justice Andrea Thomas
The case is scheduled for mention on September 21, 2023.