The Crown closed its case yesterday in the trial of Beverly Scarlett, vendor of 2A Penwood Road, Kingston 11, and her two adult daughters, who are charged jointly with the murder of Scarlett's former lover.

Submissions were made in the absence of the jury yesterday afternoon. Ms. Justice Kay Beckford directed the 12-member jury to return to the Home Circuit Court this morning.

Scarlett, Chantel Clarke and Shana Sterling are accused of murdering 66-year-old forklift operator and taxi driver Roy Reid.

INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

The Crown, represented by Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, is alleging that Reid and Scarlett were involved in an intimate relationship. The relationship ended about July 2004.

It is further alleged that when Reid went to Scarlett's home on the night of September 4, 2004, he was beaten, acid was thrown on him and his car was set ablaze.

Reid died a few days later in hospital and the Crown is relying on Reid's dying declaration to prove its case against the three women.

Attorneys-at-law Linton Walters and Tamika Harris are representing the accused who told the police, after they were arrested and charged, that they were not involved in the beating of the deceased.