Jamie "Tutu" Stephenson Charged Over St Catherine Farmer's Killing

A 33-year-old man is now facing several criminal charges after 62-year-old farmer Clement Mills was killed and Mills' wife was wounded in a St Catherine shooting earlier in May.

Police have named the accused as Jamie Stephenson, otherwise known as "Tutu", from Mansfield Heights in Ocho Rios, St Ann. He has been charged with murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, wounding with intent, unauthorised possession of ammunition, and using a firearm to commit a felony.

Investigators allege that about 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, Mills and his wife were in a 2005 Toyota Lite-Ace van carrying water they had collected in Lluidas Vale. While the vehicle was travelling on the road towards Point Hill, a man reportedly came out from bushes beside the roadway and fired at the van.

According to the police, both Mills and his wife were hit by bullets before the van crashed on the road. The couple was taken for help at Linstead Hospital, where Mills was declared dead and his wife was admitted for medical care.

Detectives attached to the Spanish Town Criminal Investigation Branch began enquiries, which resulted in Stephenson being arrested roughly four hours after the attack. Police also allege that an illegal firearm was recovered.

The police say Stephenson was later pointed out during an identification parade on Monday. He was charged on Wednesday after a question-and-answer interview conducted in the presence of his lawyer.

Stephenson is waiting to be given a court date.