Murder accused denied bail for threatening cop

Marlon Shaw and Matthew Reid, the St James men charged with the 2015 murder of Pete Ebanks were denied bail last Thursday, after the St James Circuit Court was told that Shaw had allegedly threatened a policewoman.

Shaw and Reid are before the court under allegations that they were involved in the shooting death of Ebanks at a shop located at William Street, Montego Bay on January 19, 2015.

It is alleged that Ebanks and several other persons were at the shop when Shaw and Reid approached them and opened fire. Ebanks was killed on the spot, while another man sustained a gunshot wound to the buttocks.

On Thursday, the prosecution opposed bail for the men on the grounds that, on a previous occasion, Shaw had reportedly threatened to kill a policewoman involved in the case.

It was also disclosed that both defendants had previously been out on bail, but had violated their bail conditions by going to the area where the shooting reportedly took place.

Consequently, High Court Justice Sharon George ordered that Shaw and Reid be remanded in custody.

"In these circumstances, I do not believe you are suited for bail. I will keep you in custody, as it is best for you to stay where you are," George told the defendants.

The matter will be heard again on July 1, 2019.