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Suspects in church killing for court next week - Getaway car driver set to make plea deal

Published:Saturday | February 13, 2021 | 12:29 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter

Two of three men charged in connection with the brazen daylight shooting death of 51-year-old Andrea Lowe-Garwood during a church service last month are to make their first appearance in the Trelawny Parish Court on February 15, while their co-accused finalises discussions with his attorney regarding a plea deal.

Lowe-Garwood’s stepson, 29-year-old Javan Garwood, otherwise called ‘Janoy’, who has been charged with murder and conspiracy to murder, and Dwight Bingham, who is charged with murder and illegal possession of firearm, are to appear in court on Monday.

Meanwhile, the third accused, 23-year-old Leon Hines, storekeeper of Rose Heights in Montego Bay, St James, who is believed to have been the driver of the getaway car, appeared in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston on Friday, where he was remanded.

He is scheduled to return on February 18 on charges of murder, illegal possession of firearm, accessory before the fact, accessory after the fact, conspiracy to commit murder and misprision of felony.

Discussions will bear “good fruits”

When the matter was mentioned, the prosecutor informed the court that the Crown is in an advanced state of discussion with Hines’ attorney, Michael Hemmings, and that those discussions will bear some “good fruits”.

In fact, the prosecutor told Justice Lorna Shelly-Williams that both parties should have reached a decision yesterday morning and documents presented to Hines, but the prosecutor indicated that an additional statement was submitted, and based on the contents, the documents will now have to be revisited.

Consequently, Hemmings indicated that he needed time to consult with his client and a date was set for them to return to court next week.

Hines, who was arrested in Kingston, had appeared before Justice Shelly Williams via voluntary bill of indictment.

Lowe-Garwood was among those worshipping at the Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Falmouth on January 31, when a man entered the building and sat in a bench behind her.

During the praise and worship segment, the man reportedly pulled a handgun and fired multiple shots hitting Lowe-Garwood to her upper body, before running from the building and escaping in a waiting motor car.

Lowe-Garwood was rushed to the Falmouth hospital where she was pronounced dead.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com