KINGSTON, Jamaica – Judge Chester Stamp refused an application by prosecutor  Luke Cooke to have the indictment in the Beachy Stout and Oscar Barnes murder trial amended.

The prosecutor wanted the indictment to reflect that Everton ‘Beachy Stout’ McDonald allegedly conspired with Denvalyn “Bubbla” Minott to kill his wife, Tonia McDonald in 2020.

Cooke also wanted the indictment to reflect that Minott then conspired with Barnes to carry out the murder. Cooke was seeking to have Justice Stamp accept his proposal for amendment, however, Stamp agreed with defence lawyers representing both accused in the Home Circuit Court murder trial.

Justice Stamp refused the application, agreeing with defence lawyers that amending it could be prejudicial to the accused. Stamp then instructed the jury to officially return a not-guilty verdict on the charge of conspiracy to murder.

READ: ‘Beachy Stout’ and co-accused freed of conspiracy to murder charge

Judge Stamp ruled on Monday that there was no evidence showing that McDonald conspired with Barnes to kill Tonia.

McDonald and Barnes are still before the Court on the murder charge.