Judge to decide on overseas witness in ‘Shab Don’s murder case on March 4
Published:Wednesday | February 26, 2025 | 12:12 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Music producer Linval ‘Shab Don’ Thompson and his co-defendant Tajay Clarke, who are charged with a triple murder committed in Rose Heights, St James, on May 25, 2022, will learn on March 4 if the St James Circuit Court will allow an overseas witness to testify virtually during their upcoming trial.
Presiding High Court Justice Judith Pusey set the new court date for her decision when Thompson and Clarke made their latest court appearance on Tuesday. She also ordered the two men remanded in custody.
Thompson is represented by King’s Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson and fellow attorney Donahue Martin, while Clarke is represented by attorney Khadine Colman.
“The matter is set for the judge to rule on the prosecution’s application for special measures, to allow a witness to give evidence by video link. The decision is to be handed down next Tuesday, March 4,” Tavares-Finson told The Gleaner.
Tuesday’s court sitting is the latest delay in relation to the prosecution’s submission about the witness, who is awaiting trial on a murder charge in Florida, in the United States. The hearing was a continuation of Monday’s court sitting when the court heard further submissions from the prosecution in relation to the arrangements for the witness’ testimony.
Before Monday and Tuesday of this week, the trial of Thompson and Clarke was expected to start on February 19. That date was set following their previous appearance on January 8 when the court was told about the prosecution’s intentions regarding the overseas witness.
CHARGED WITH MURDER
Thompson and Clarke are charged with the murders of 24-year-old Chamario ‘Chippy’ Calvin, 27-year-old Chadwell ‘Bomb Brain’ Frazer, and 26-year-old Toniann ‘Too Fly’ Reid, who were killed gangland-style at a party in Rose Heights. They are also charged with wounding with intent and shooting with intent in the same incident.
According to the allegations, Calvin, Frazer, and Reid were among patrons at a birthday party on Marl Road in Rose Heights when a motor vehicle pulled up and men alighted and opened gunfire on the patrons before making their escape. Calvin, Frazer, and Reid were subsequently pronounced dead, while two other persons suffered bullet wounds.
Thompson and Clarke have been in custody despite previous efforts by their lawyers to secure bail for them. This includes a bail application on April 5, 2024, where Tavares-Finson said Thompson was not in the area at the time of the incident and pointed to reports that the perpetrators were wearing masks, calling into question the issue of identification.
Meanwhile, in applying for bail for Clarke on that date, Colman cited her client’s need to do a medical procedure, which he could not do while in custody.
However, High Court Justice Bertram Morrison, the presiding judge at that time, rejected the bail application after the prosecution argued that Thompson was pointed out in an identification parade and that one of the witnesses and some police personnel had received threats.