Man has case to answer in funeral double murder
MONTEGO BAY, St James — The court has ruled that Lorenzo Walters has a case to answer in a double murder committed at a funeral.
One of those killed was a five-year-old boy. His father was also shot and injured during the November 20, 2022 attack in Johns Hall, St James.
The ruling was handed down in St James Parish Court last Wednesday during a committal hearing for Walters. He is charged with the murder of 26-year-old mason Semiu Shaw and five-year-old Tavoy Cummings, both of Grange Hill, Westmoreland.
Walters is represented by attorney-at-law Henry McCurdy.
After the ruling, Presiding Judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley remanded the accused in custody until April 24 when the case will be heard in St James Circuit Court.
The police reported that about 2:00 pm the family was in a vehicle and was about to leave the funeral when they were pounced upon by the accused and another man who opened gunfire.
The five-year-old boy, his father, and Shaw were hit.
They were rushed to hospital where the child and Shaw were pronounced dead and the boy’s father was admitted in critical condition.
Walters and 22-year-old Obrian “Burch” Hunter, a labourer of John’s Hall, St James, were subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of murder, wounding with intent, and shooting with intent.
Hunter, who was arrested on Christmas Day, two months after Walters’ arrest, appeared in St James Circuit Court before High Court Justice Bertram Morrison on Wednesday.
In his case the court was told that the forensic certificate and ballistic report were still outstanding.
Hunter also has a another case in that court wherein he is charged with possession of identity information, however the court is awaiting a report from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Communication Forensics and Cybercrime Division (CFCD).
Both matters will be mentioned again on April 24; Hunter will remain behind bars until then.
