Father and son facing murder charge

A St James father and son who are charged with the March 17 murder of security guard Nastacia Smith, are booked to return before the St James Parish Court on September 4, following their latest court appearance on Wednesday.

Wilford Cooke, 57, and Lavaughn Cooke, 21, had their bails extended following their brief appearance before presiding Parish Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton. During the court appearance, it was disclosed that the prosecution's case file was not complete as a number of documents, including the post-mortem report, are currently still outstanding. The Cookes are also charged with wounding with intent.

According to the allegations, at 3:30 p.m., Smith, 36, of Valley Heights Housing Scheme, and a female relative were inside their house with other family members at Flower Hill, St James, when two armed men entered the yard and opened gunfire at them through a bedroom window before fleeing. The police were summoned, and on their arrival, Smith was seen with a gunshot wound to her chest. The women were taken to hospital where Smith was pronounced dead and the other woman was treated and released.

Following investigations, Wilford and Lavaughn were arrested and subsequently charged. Wilford is currently out on $600,000 bail and, as part of his bail conditions, is to remain outside of St James, except for court dates. Lavaughn is out on $500,000 bail and is not to be seen in Flower Hill.