St. James Cop Charged in Latoya Bulgin Killing Granted $1 Million Bail

Constable Andrew Wilson, the police officer connected to the controversial May 17 killing of 45-year-old Latoya Bulgin in Granville, appeared before the St. James Parish Court on Tuesday morning after being charged with murder. Following submissions from his lawyers, he was granted bail in the sum of $1 million. A strong police presence was deployed outside the court as residents from Granville turned out and left disappointed by the proceedings.

A 15-year-old student from Port Antonio High School is in police custody following a fatal stabbing on Foreshore Road in Port Antonio, Portland, on Monday afternoon. Police say a dispute broke out around 4:00 p.m. involving a group of schoolboys who were gambling behind a sanitary facility near the bus park. Three of the boys allegedly left the scene and returned with three adults, including the deceased, Jeremy Tarson Ferguson. The group reportedly attacked the teenager, who used a knife and fatally stabbed Ferguson. The injured man was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Branch in Port Antonio are investigating.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness urged Jamaicans to embrace productivity, innovation, and efficiency, arguing these values are critical if the country is to reach its full economic potential. Speaking at the ceremonial opening of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference on Tuesday, he said Jamaica has the assets to become a world-class nation but must transform its culture and value system. "We must move from victimhood to agency," he said, adding that Jamaicans must believe they can take charge of their destiny and chart their own course.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation says it is stepping up compliance under its signage regulation programme, with enforcement continuing across commercial districts in the corporate area. Chief Executive Officer Robert Hill said an enforcement drive began on April 1 and that the municipality applies the law as required.

The Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement is continuing its legal challenge over public access to beaches, with several cases before the courts. President Dr. Devon Taylor said many coastal areas accessible to Jamaicans remain vulnerable to future restrictions and questioned why proposed beach access management policy does not grant inherent rights. "Why is it that they're proposing a new beach access management policy that does not give Jamaican inherent rights?" he asked.

Opposition spokesperson on foreign, regional and diaspora affairs Donna Scott Mutley, in a statement marking Diaspora Day 2026, urged overseas Jamaicans to play a greater role in building climate resilience, noting that the diaspora should be seen as more than a source of remittances.

At the Home Circuit Court, the statement of the late Chenise Roberts was read into evidence on Monday in the ongoing Klansman gang trial. Roberts described witnessing the murder of Noah Smith on February 7, 2020, at his residence and place of business at Eureka Place, Kingston 20. Michael Wildman, Jerome Spike, Nashan Guest and Giovani Macdonald are charged in relation to knowingly facilitating the commission of robbery and murder.

Seven overseas Jamaicans were honoured at the Governor General's Achievement Awards for contributions to national development, and $32 million has been invested in maternal and neonatal healthcare at Victoria Jubilee Hospital. Food for the Poor Jamaica and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 13 cardiotocography machines and one ultrasound unit. State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Crystal Lee said the ministry is working to reduce maternal mortality rates.

In international news, ethnic conflict has intensified in India's northeastern state of Manipur, where recent violence between Naga and Kuki communities has added a new dimension to a crisis that has persisted for more than three years. A remembrance service was held for six Naga men abducted nearly a month earlier, allegedly by members of the Kuki community, amid accusations of killings on both sides and roadblocks affecting displaced communities.