The two men who were charged for arson following the mysterious disappearance of four people from one family after a fire in Lime Hall, St Ann, have been remanded in custody.
They appeared on Thursday, December 17 in the St. Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate Court and are to return Wednesday, December 23 when their lawyer expects them to be offered bail.
Charged for arson are: Junior Campbell, 27, and his brother 23-year-old Shawn Nelson, both of Lime Hall, St Ann.
The men were among seven people picked up by the police. All the others have been released.
In court on Thursday, attorney representing the men, Everal Webster highlighted several challenges he was having with the police investigations and noted that up to then his clients have been in custody for almost a month. He told the court that a slipper found at the scene of the fire in Lime Hall, that is being claimed to be linked to one of his clients, along with other items, could not prove that his clients are connected to the fire and the disappearance of the missing people.
The attorney also went on to lament his concern for certain allegations made by the police in the media and said that it was unfair to the case and against his clients. Mr. Webster further made shocking claims that both the men’s underwear were taken from them while in custody and argued that if DNA evidence linked any of his client to the slipper, then he would have “much to say.”
The investigating officer requested more time from presiding senior resident magistrate Andrea Thomas for further investigations to be carried out to lay other charges against the men.
RM Thomas gave the officer one week to complete his investigations.
The men were remanded in custody until December 23 when a further bail application will be made.
Missing since the early morning of Saturday, November 14 are: fifty-seven-year-old Joseph Lynch, his nephew 43-year-old Lascelles Lynch, 50-year-old Ruth Lawrence, and her niece, seven-year-old Rimeka Haynes.
Reports are that late Friday night into the wee hours of Saturday morning, November 14, a five-bedroom house and two out buildings were destroyed by fire. Police and fire personnel found no sign of the occupants, even after several searches, that included cadaver dogs and also interviews with people from the area.
