The man charged with the stabbing death of his ex-lover in Ocho Rios in December of last year was further remanded into custody when he appeared before the St Ann Parish Court on Tuesday, May 2.
In addition, the man had a busy week before the court last week, as he appeared the following day (Wednesday, May 3) on separate charges, including unlawful wounding.
MURDER CHARGE
He is 20-year-old Ryan Edwards who is charged with the murder of Alisa Garey, 20, of Ocho Rios in the parish.
When Edwards appeared before senior parish judge Andrea Thomas last Tuesday, he was remanded into custody on the murder charge.
Edwards is to return to court on June 15 in that matter. The court has asked for two legal aid attorneys to consider representing Edwards. The investigating officer told the North Coast Times that the investigations are complete, case file is “pretty straight forward” and is ready to proceed. Family members are watching the case closely and turning up at each hearing.
The allegations brought before the court last year are that on Wednesday morning December, 14, 2016 at about 11:57 a.m., Garey went to the Ocho Rios Police Station to make a report after Edwards threatened to kill her.
Reports to the court also state that after the report was made, Edwards was called to the police station where a discussion took place between him (Edwards) and the police.
Both parties were then released.
In court, it was alleged that Garey was then walking along the roadway in the vicinity of Champion Supermarket, in Ocho Rios, in the company of her mother when an altercation developed between Edwards and one of the females.
This was when Edwards allegedly pulled a knife from his waist and stabbed Garey. Edwards then attempted to escape in nearby bushes but was apprehended by the police.
Garey succumbed to her injuries at the hospital shortly after.
On Wednesday, December 21, 2016, when Edwards made his first court appearance before the St Ann Parish Court, it was revealed in a conversation between the prosecutor and the judge, that Edwards has had two other matters also of a “violent” nature before the court, one of which is still pending.
At the time Judge Thomas said she would not grant Edwards bail as he seems to be “going up the scale and stepping up a notch” with his offenses, ranging from “robbery with aggravation and unlawful wounding and now to murder.”
UNLAWFUL WOUNDING
Edwards appeared before parish judge Peter Wilson last Wednesday on a charge of unlawful wounding and another charge, which was not disclosed.
In the unlawful wounding matter, the complainant was in court.
Allegations are that Edwards hit the man which caused a wound.
Edwards had pleaded guilty with explanation. He explained that he was at his home, when he was attacked by the complainant and his friend.
Judge Wilson indicated to the prosecutor not to record the plea given as the matter will have to proceed to trial.
A medical report was given to Edwards outlining the injuries the man received.
Judge Wilson told both Edwards and the complainant to bring their witnesses on June 15, when the matter is to be tried.
The judge also warned Edwards to seek legal representation by the next date.
In the other case, the charge of which was not disclosed in court, the complainant was not present in court. Subpoenas were later issued for the complainant and the investigating officer in the case.
That matter was also set for June 15.
Edwards had been on bail on those charges prior to him being arrested for murder.
His bail was extended, but he remains in custody on the murder charge.
