‘Shab Don’s’ triple murder trial now set for March 11
Published:Friday | March 7, 2025 | 12:08 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Music producer Linval ‘Shab Don’ Thompson and his co-accused, Tajay Clarke, who are charged with a triple murder committed in Rose Heights, St James, in 2022, will learn next Tuesday if an overseas prosecution witness will be allowed to give evidence via a virtual platform in their trial.
The two defendants are before the St James Circuit Court to answer to the May 25, 2022, incident in which 24-year-old Chamario ‘Chippy’ Calvin, 27-year-old Chadwell ‘Bomb Brain’ Frazer, and 26-year-old Toniann ‘Too Fly’ Reid, were killed during a gun attack at a party.
The St James Circuit Court has been awaiting the ruling from presiding High Court Justice Judith Pusey regarding the witness, who is facing a murder charge in Florida, United States. The prosecution made its application on January 8 this year with regard to his potential testimony.
Thompson and Clarke, who are currently remanded in police custody, were expected to start their trial on February 19, a date that was set following their January 8 court appearance. However, their matter was put off until this past Tuesday to allow time for the judge to give her ruling before a new March 11 trial date.
It has not been made clear why Tuesday’s expected delivery of the ruling regarding the overseas witness was delayed, but The Gleaner was advised that Pusey was not in a position to give her judgment at that time.
In addition to their murder charges in relation to the deaths of Calvin, Frazer, and Reid, the defendants are charged with wounding with intent and shooting with intent, arising from the 2022 incident.
According to reports, Calvin, Frazer, and Reid were among patrons at a birthday party being held along Marl Road in Rose Heights, St James, when a motor vehicle pulled up.
Men alighted from the vehicle and fired on the patrons before making their escape. Calvin, Frazer, and Reid were subsequently pronounced dead, and two other persons were wounded in the incident.
Thompson and Clarke, who are represented by attorneys Tom Tavares-Finson, Donahue Martin, and Kadine Colman, have been in custody despite efforts by their lawyers to secure bail for them, including a bail application on April 5 last year. On that occasion, the attorneys called the reported identification of the men into question, arguing that Thompson was not in the area and that Clarke needed medical attention, which he could not get while in custody.
However, High Court Justice Bertram Morrison, the presiding judge at that time, rejected the bail application after the prosecution argued that Thompson was pointed out in an identification parade and that one of the witnesses and some police personnel had received threats.