$3 million murder plot - Husband, two men charged with Portland woman’s killing

Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, who is in charge of crime, said yesterday that based on investigations, J$3 million was spent to have a Portland businesswoman killed.

The deceased, Tonia Hamilton-McDonald, 32, otherwise called 'Sassy', of Dolphin Court, Dolphin Bay in Portland, was found on the Tailington main road in the parish on July 20 about 8:20 p.m. in a Toyota Axio motor car that was engulfed in flames. The throat was also slashed.

Detectives assigned to the Major Investigation Division, on Tuesday charged her husband, Portland businessman Everton McDonald, 65, with conspiracy to murder.

Jointly charged

Also charged are 30-year-old Astor Barnes, otherwise called 'Tiny' of Epsom district, Annotto Bay, St Mary, and 56-year-old Denvalyn Minott, otherwise called 'Bubble', a fisherman of Ranch Hill, Portland. Barnes and Minott were jointly charged with murder and conspiracy to murder following an intense investigation. The three men were taken into custody almost two weeks ago during a series of coordinated operations. McDonald is also being investigated for the murder of his first wife, Merlene, who was killed in 2009.

She was shot and killed outside her gate at Boundbrook, near the entrance to Spring Bank road. Bailey said that police have made significant progress in that murder case. "There are two other related murders and a wounding case that are also being investigated," he said.

The police are urging anyone with information to contact the Major Investigation Division at 876-906-5848, police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.