The murder trial of Milton 'Tony' Welsh, 58, of Brandon Hill, St. Andrew, had to be put off yesterday because some of the witnesses were absent.

He has been remanded to return to the Home Circuit Court on July 2 when his trial will begin.

Welsh, who is a People's National Party (PNP) activist, is charged with the murder of Damion Hussey, 21, of Golden Spring, St. Andrew.

The Crown is alleging that Hussey was set upon and beaten on January 15 last year by a group of men. The allegations are that the men, who were travelling in a bus, were returning from a PNP rally for the official launch of the presidential campaign for Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips.

When the bus reached Golden Spring, stones were thrown at it. Men from the bus came off to inquire who was stoning it. Itis further alleged that Hussey came out of his house to find out what was taking place and was then beaten and fatally stabbed.

Welsh was tried in October last year for Hussey's murder, but the jury failed to arrive at a verdict and a retrial was ordered.