Some movement could come in the case against two men charged with the murder, almost three years ago, of Discovery Bay couple Norma-Lyn and Neville Hall. Lawyers representing the two men accused of the August 23, 2011 murders of have revealed in court that steps are now being taken to bring a speedy closure to the case. Norma-Lyn Hall, 53, a senior lecturer at the Brown’s Town Community College and her 57-year-old husband, Neville Hall, a trucker contracted to Noranda Bauxite Partner were slain in their home near Queen’s Highway Discovery Bay, apparently just before going to bed. Twenty-two-year-old Steve Stewart and twenty-five-year-old Jowayne Alexander, both from Discovery Bay are charged with murder, robbery with aggravation and illegal possession of a firearm. Alexander has been charged with two counts of murder, robbery and illegal possession of firearm. Raymond Mitchell the third person charged is from Spring Mount, in St James. Mitchell has been charged with receiving stolen property. Police say he was caught on camera in Montego Bay using the Halls’ debit card at an ATM.
The case has reached nowhere in the courts just still being on the mention list, meaning the preliminary hearing trial is yet to begin. This, although the men were charged and appeared in court less than a month after the murders. The preliminary hearing will determine if they have a case to answer at which time it would then go on the clogged Circuit Court list and fight for a space to be heard in that court. The matter, which is on the preliminary mention list, was called up on Monday, June 9, 2014. Stewart’s lawyer, Karren Russell, told presiding RM Andrea Thomas that her client is “willing to go a particular route in the matter.” She indicated that a file was to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for the course of action to be taken. Alexander is represented by Oswest Senior Smith. When quizzed on the particular course that is been considered, Russell told The Times that she could not reveal such information at this time as it was still in the early stage and she “ can’t get into it until there are proper instructions from the client.” She indicated that the matter is in the preliminary stage and “minds can change.” The attorney from Oswest Senior Smith’s office also indicated that he could not disclose the course of action.
Other legal sources indicate that it could mean the men are likely to enter a guilty plea in the killing and seek to have the charges reduced to manslaughter. The two men are before the court after the couple from Queen’s Crescent, located along the Queen’s Highway was brutally murdered. Their bodies were found by a worker in the woodlands of Lakeside Park in Discovery Bay, some three miles away from the couple’s home. It is theorised that they were killed at home and their bodies taken to the heavily bushed area and dumped. Robbery was established as a motive as several items were taken from the house. One of the men reportedly hit Mr Hall with a sledge hammer when he fought back. Mrs Hall’s white Rav4 was taken by the attackers. However, the vehicle was later found abandoned in Montego Bay. Two other vehicles, a truck and a bus, belonging to Mr Hall, were still at the home of the couple. Following the incident, Stewart and Alexander were charged with murder, robbery with aggravation and illegal possession of a firearm. The matter is expected to continue on Monday, July 28. Both men were remanded in custody.
