Cabbie surrenders, charged for murder of jerk chicken vendor
Published:Wednesday | March 5, 2025 | 12:06 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
Shadwayne Ellis, the taxi operator, who surrendered to the Westmoreland police last Friday, two days after he allegedly inflicted fatal chop wounds on jerk chicken vendor, 54-year-old Rodroy ‘Jerky’ Powell, on Wednesday afternoon, has been charged with murder.
According to reports, the men got into a heated argument after Powell, who had travelled from Savanna-la-Mar to Negril in a public passenger vehicle (PPV) driven by Ellis, paid his fare and demanded J$100 in change, which Ellis refused to give him.
During the argument, Powell reportedly pulled the key from the ignition of Ellis’ car and brandished a knife. Ellis reportedly ran to the trunk of his car, pulled out a machete and attacked Powell, chopping him on the side of his neck and face, resulting in the injuries that caused his death.
According to another taxi operator, who witnessed the incident, the men ignored several calls to calm down, each claiming that the other had been disrespectful.
“Yu see dis word dat dem call ‘diss’ (disrespect), dem fe ban it inna Jamaica because it is what is causing all de problems, especially fe de man dem with de big ego,” said the taxi-operator.
According to reports, about 3 p.m., the vehicle driven by Ellis pulled into the bus park. Shortly after, Powell was overheard telling Ellis to, “Gimme back mi change to man”. Ellis reportedly responded by asking, “Change outa wah? yu nuh fe get no change, a de right fare you pay.”
After Powell was chopped, he reportedly collapsed in a pool of blood at which time Ellis reportedly dropped the machete and fled on foot. On hearing the commotion, police officers from the nearby Negril Police Station rushed to the location and assisted Powell to the Negril Fire Station, where a paramedics team tried to stop the bleeding and stabilise him.
PRONOUNCED DEAD AT HOSPITAL
Powell, who resided in Farm Pen section of Llandillo, in Savanna-la-Mar, also in Westmoreland, was later transported to the Savanna-la-Mar Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“Jerky was a good man, and Jah know seh it is sad dat him dead over $100 when him is a man who give weh more than $100 worth a chicken every day,” another taxi operator, who plies the Negril to Savanna-la-Mar route, told The Gleaner. “He was very popular with his customers…when him come down late, many would not leave until him come.”
After Powell was pronounced dead, the police put out a bulletin, urging Ellis, who is of Geneva district, in Grange Hill, also in Westmoreland, to turn himself in. Other taxi operators also sent out messages to Ellis, encouraging him to surrender.
On Saturday, Ellis heeded the call to surrender and turned himself in to the police. Following a question-and-answer session, done in the presence of his lawyer, he was arrested and charged with murder. His first court appearance has not been finalised.