Jamaica news roundup: Munga freed, Clarendon murders rise and St Catherine suspect charged

Dancehall entertainer Munga Honourable and his co-accused Sheridan Gordon were freed Friday in the 2017 murder case involving Cleveland Smith of Ackee Walk, St Andrew. Prosecutors offered no further evidence after the trial, which began last week, was reportedly affected by inconsistencies in the sole eyewitness’s testimony. Munga, given name Damian Rhoden, was represented by Christopher Townsend and Chadwick Berry, while Gordon was represented by King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie and Bernard Bernard.

In Clarendon, police told Thursday’s monthly meeting of the municipal corporation that the parish had recorded 18 murders up to June 2026, one more than the 17 reported over the same period last year. Inspector Graham Evangelist said the division, led by Senior Superintendent Shane McCalla, has strengthened operations, including 24-hour policing in hotspots. He also said contingency plans are in place for vulnerable stations, including those in Lionel Town, Mocho and the southern parish area, during the hurricane season.

Police have also upgraded charges against 51-year-old Paul Stevenson, also called Pablo, of New Harbour Village, St Catherine, after 29-year-old Tia Singh of Old Paisley district, Clarendon, died Thursday, June 11. Investigators allege Stevenson injected Singh with a toxic substance and pepper-sprayed her during a dispute on Tuesday, June 9, then took her to her May Pen home. She was later admitted to May Pen Hospital in serious condition.

In Westmoreland, a Thursday morning fire destroyed a variety store and adjoining dwelling at Big Bridge. The operator, who gave her name as Sharon, said the blaze started between a stove and refrigerator. Jamaica Fire Brigade District Officer O’Neil Kerr said investigators were still assessing the cause and loss value, and no fatalities were reported.

In St Ann, 57-year-old welder and mechanic Dave Benin of Homecastle district died Wednesday at Retirement quarry in Brown’s Town after a dislodged stone-crusher part struck him. Separately, several St Catherine police officers are under investigation after a video reportedly showed a gun salute at the nine-night for Constable Shanki Gordon, who died June 1 in a motorcycle crash.