Murder accused denied bail for 2021 killing

Gerald 'Ice' McNaughton, the man charged with the November 2, 2021 murder of Delroy Fisher and the wounding of another man in Flanker, St James, was denied bail when he appeared in the St James Circuit Court on Wednesday.

McNaughton, who hails from Flanker and was one of St James' most wanted persons, is charged with murder, wounding with intent, shooting with intent, and illegal possession of a firearm. He was remanded following his appearance before presiding High Court Justice Bertram Morrison.

During Wednesday's bail application, defence attorney Chumu Parris argued that McNaughton had been in custody for more than two years, with his anticipated trial set to begin next year.

"He has been in custody for in excess of two years now, and on that basis, when it is that administrative delays happen over a protracted period, at what point is this regarded by the court as a circumstance that merits a reconsideration of the matter? He had a reasonable expectation for his matter to be heard on a reasonable date, and now, as a result of those administrative changes, the trial date is now almost a year from now," Parris said, concerning McNaughton.

But Justice Morrison rejected the bail application after the prosecution explained that McNaughton was previously denied bail due to concerns that he was a flight risk, having been arrested in St Ann two months after Fisher's death.

"You need to point out to me whether the situation has improved his eligibility to bail, and I have not heard one word about that. For the benefit of those who are listening, access to the court should not be used as a revolving door," said Justice Morrison.

The case will be mentioned for trial readiness on May 1, 2025, ahead of McNaughton's actual trial date of July 14, 2025.

According to reports, on November 2, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., Fisher and another man were attacked and shot, with Fisher later being pronounced dead and the other man admitted to hospital for treatment.

McNaughton was listed among 88 wanted persons in the Area 1 Police Division, with the police seeking him in relation to Fisher's murder. He was arrested in Discovery Bay, St Ann, on January 23, 2022.