By Roy Sanford, Staff Reporter
Sharky's, the boat involved in the August 19, 2002 shooting. - File
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE TRIAL of Montego Bay businessman, Francis 'Deon' Young, who is facing two counts of murders, hit a snag in the St. James Circuit Court yesterday as the prosecution requested additional statements from the police for the court's files.
Young was arrested and charged following a fatal shooting incident on the party boat Sharky's in the Montego Bay Harbour during the early hours of August 19, last year.
The trial was set to begin yesterday but the prosecution, led by Crown Counsel Lambert Johnson, told the court that he needed additional statements from the police. Justice Gloria Smith accepted his request and set March 31 as the new trial date.
The case, which has been generating much interest in western Jamaica, has been before the court since last August. It is one of seven murder cases down to be tried during this, the first sitting of the Circuit Court for 2003.
Allegations against Young are that on August 19 last year, he and football coach David Ellis got into an argument aboard the party boat. It is reported that during the altercation, Ellis used a champagne bottle to hit him in the face. Young allegedly pulled his licensed firearm and fired in Ellis' direction. A gunbattle allegedly ensued when other patrons on the boat started firing their own guns. Paul Haynes, 26, was shot and killed during the incident. Two other patrons suffered injuries to the leg. It is reported that during the melee, Ellis fell overboard.
Young's $2 million bail was extended until March 31.
