One of the two men charged for last year’s killing of two US missionaries appeared before the St Mary Parish Court on Thursday, January 19.
Twenty-five-year-old Andre Thomas of Port Maria in the parish was the man that appeared before the court.
He was charged for murder and illegal possession of firearm in relation to the April 30, 2016 killing of 48-year-old Randy Hentzel, and 53-year-old Harold Nichols.
His co-accused, 25-year-old Dwight Henry, alias Duggie, Chin or Chino, remains on the run, following his escape from the Port Maria Hospital on Wednesday, January 4.
When the matter appeared before acting senior parish judge Yvette Wentworth-Miller last Thursday, the serving of files or bundles had continued with the serving of CDs to the attorney in relation to Thomas’ case.
It was not revealed in court what evidence was contained on the CDs that were served. It was also heard that other files were also served in the case on previous occasions, thus making disclosure complete.
Henry’s legal aid attorney is Jacqueline Asher, while Thomas’ legal aid attorney is Leroy Equiano. Equiano was absent from last Thursday’s mention of the case.
Henry’s legal aid attorney, Jacqueline Asher explained that with the “developments” in the case and the nature of her client’s whereabouts being not known, she was merely watching proceedings in the matter for Thomas’ attorney, Leroy Equiano.
Thomas was remanded into custody by Judge Wentworth-Miller to reappear on February 2 for the hearing into the case.
At the hearing, the judge will determine if a prima facie case can be made out against Thomas.
Randy Hentzel and Harold Nichols of US outreach group, TEAMS for Medical Missions were found dead in Albion Mountain district in St Mary on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, respectively.
The two were reportedly last seen alive when they left Tower Isle on motorcycles about 8:00 am on Saturday, April 30.
Residents later found their bodies. Hentzel was found face down with the hands bound and Nichols’ body was found with his head bashed in.
Autopsies later showed that Hentzel died of a gunshot wound while Nichols had a gunshot and chop wounds.
US law enforcement officials participated with their Jamaican colleagues in the investigations into the crimes that attracted international attention.
