Men charged with uncle’s murder get court date

Two St James men who reportedly killed their uncle during a family dispute at their Rose Heights home on Boxing Day will return to court on April 19, when their case will be mentioned.

Shane Samuels and Ricardo Rhomes, who are charged with murder in relation to the death of 55-year-old Bently Vaughns, were given the new court date when they appeared before presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Ashley earlier this weeky. Samuels had his bail extended, while Rhomes was remanded. During court proceedings, it was disclosed that the post-mortem report was outstanding from the prosecution's case file, and that full disclosure of documents is expected to be served on the men's attorney Suywane Phillips.

The allegations are that about 2 a.m. on the day in question, Rhomes got into an altercation with a woman at his home, and Vaughns intervened. A dispute arose between the men, and Rhomes stabbed Vaughns on his hand. It is further reported that Vaughns was assisted inside his home when Rhomes kicked off the door and attacked him again with the knife, stabbing him several times to the left side of his chest. Samuels reportedly got involved in the fracas and threw a building block on Vaughns' head.

The police were summoned, and Vaughns was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Rhomes and Samuels were subsequently taken into custody and were later charged.