No evidence to establish conspiracy, declares judge in 'Beachy Stout' matter

A Supreme Court judge today freed businessman Everton 'Beachy Stout' McDonald of murder conspiracy charges after finding no evidence to establish a conspiracy between him and his co-accused Oscar Barnes.

The men were charged in connection with the July 20, 2020 murder of McDonald's wife, Tonia, whose partially burnt body was found on a deserted road in Sherwood Forest in Portland.

The defendants, who will still each have to answer to a count of murder in the ongoing trial, were freed after presiding judge Chester Stamp, upheld no-case submissions, by the defendant’s attorney.

A contract killer, Denvalyn Minott, who is serving 19 years in prison for his role in her murder,  had testified that Beachy Stout hired him to kill his wife for $3 million but that he passed on the work to Barnes.

Minott testified that he and Barnes made about four unsuccessful trips to Tonia’s house to kill her before he lured her to the area, where she was murdered, under the pretence that he had secured two guns that she was seeking to purchase.

The court heard that Tonia had wanted to purchase a gun to avenge her father's death and that her husband introduced her to Minott for his assistance.

The court further heard, during conversations between Beachy Stout and Minott, which he had secretly recorded, that the businessman later advised his wife to purchase two guns and had given her $500,000.

According to Minott, the plan to purchase the guns was a ruse used by Beachy Stout for Minott to get close to his wife.

However, Barnes' lawyers have suggested that he was not involved in the plot and that it was Minott’s son, who the police had initially arrested but later released without charge.

Minott, in the secretly recorded conversation, had said repeatedly that his son was involved in the plot and went with him and a taxi driver on one occasion to Tonia’s house, to kill her.

But when asked about that admission, he said he only mentioned his son to protect Barnes, as Beachy Stout wanted him to act alone.

The trial had also heard that the police had no physical evidence tying Barnes to the murder apart from Minott's statements.

Additionally, the court also heard that Minott did not provide a description or the name of the man whom he claimed murdered Tonia.

Beachy Stout’s lawyers for their part has suggested that there was no conspiracy and that he did not hire anyone to kill his wife.

They also suggested that the voice in the secret recording was not his and that he had no discussion with Minott about killing his wife.

The defence, however, will begin their case, tomorrow.

Attorneys-at-law Christopher Townsend, Courtney Rowe, John Jacobs, Earl Hamilton and his son, Jon-Paul, are representing Beachy Stout.

Attorney-at-law Ernest Davis and Vincent Wellesley are representing Barnes.

- Tanesha Mundle

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