In today’s news: An elderly St. James woman was killed in a vehicle collision while walking along the roadway; a taxi operator is charged with robbery and shooting; a man who escaped police custody to attend his mom’s funeral goes to prison. Also, police indicted a Westmoreland teen with shooting and wounding.
Elderly Woman Fatally Injured in Vehicle Collision in St James.
On Tuesday, February 6, St James was rocked by a tragic incident as 70-year-old Unice Edwards of Somerton, St James, succumbed to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision on the Windsor Lodge main road.
According to reports from the Adelphi police, the heartbreaking event unfolded around 9:30 am, when Edwards was walking along the roadway. A driver of a Toyota Allion motor car swerved in an attempt to evade a pothole.
Tragically, this caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with a light post and ultimately striking Edwards. Despite being rushed to the hospital and receiving treatment, Edwards tragically passed away due to her injuries.
This deeply saddening incident is under investigation as the community mourns the loss of Unice Edwards.
A St Ann taxi operator is charged with robbery and shooting.
JAMAICA, St. Ann —A taxi operator has been arrested and charged for his involvement in the alleged robbery of a grocery store and the shooting of a man in the chest in the Clapham district of Moneague, St. Ann, on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
Rajesh Brown, 24, of Great Pond, Ocho Rios, in St. Ann, faces charges of wounding with intent, aggravated robbery, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and using a prohibited weapon to commit a felony.
Reports indicate that on the specified day, Brown and another armed individual entered a grocery store, firing at the operators and injuring one of them in the chest. The assailants then proceeded to rob the operators, taking a Samsung cellphone valued at $35,000 and $5,000 in cash before fleeing the scene.
Police officers responded, providing assistance to the wounded individual, who was subsequently treated and admitted to the hospital in serious condition.
Brown was apprehended by the police on Wednesday, January 31. Following this, on Saturday, February 3, he confessed to the crime in a caution statement.
At an identification parade on Monday, February 5, Brown was positively identified, leading to his formal charges.
His appearance in court is pending.
A man goes to prison after escaping custody to attend his mother’s funeral.
A man hailing from Catherine received a three-month prison sentence from a parish court after faking a need to use the restroom and absconding from police custody.
The convict, identified as Horace Clarke, aged 50 and residing on McVickers Lane in Spanish Town, was subject to these legal proceedings.
During Clarke’s appearance before the court on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Attorney-at-Law Denise Hinson argued that a non-custodial sentence would be fitting, emphasizing that her client had fled custody to attend his mother’s funeral and had voluntarily returned to the authorities.
However, Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle opposed the sentencing proposal, asserting that she would deviate from the typical sentencing guidelines if Clarke was not incarcerated.
The judge noted that the maximum penalty was two years’ imprisonment, but considering Clarke’s age and the lawyer’s representations, a leniency was extended to him.
Reportedly, on January 6, Clarke was apprehended on a warrant related to an expired motor vehicle certificate of fitness. While at the station, he claimed that his mother had passed away and that he needed to attend her funeral. Subsequently, he was accompanied to the restroom, from where he absconded.
Cops charged Westmoreland teen with shooting and wounding.
A 17-year-old boy from Westmoreland has been charged in connection with the stabbing and shooting of a man at his residence in Chantilly Gardens, Savanna-la-Mar.
He faces charges of wounding with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, and using a firearm to commit a felony.
Authorities reported that he, along with 20-year-old Deshaun Bell from the same community, were involved in the incident, and Bell had been previously charged.
According to the police, the victim was at home around 10 pm on Monday, January 22, when he was confronted by the teenager and Bell. They allegedly inflicted several stab wounds to the man’s head, and as he attempted to escape, he was shot in the arm.
The injured man received treatment at the hospital. The teen was later apprehended at his residence and was positively identified in an identification parade on Monday, February 5, 2024, leading to the laying of charges against him.
His court date is pending.