The murder trial of 42-year-old reputed gang leader Joel Andem and the two men charged jointly with the murder of 48-year-old gas station operator, Sylvia Edwards, has been set for October 8.

The case, which was set for trial Tuesday in the Home Circuit Court, was put off following an application made by the prosecution.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Donald Bryan told Justice Carol Beswick that a policeman who played a crucial role in the case has since retired. Mr. Bryan said the Crown needed time to locate the policeman.

Andem is charged jointly with 45-year-old businessman Rupert Wallace of Garveymeade, Portmore, St. Catherine, and 25-year-old Rohan Masters of 66 Luke Lane, Kingston.

Mrs. Edwards, who lived in Plantatio St. Andrew, was kidnapped along Red Hills Road, St. Andrew, in July 2000.

When a demand for a ransom of $200,000 was not met, she was shot dead and buried in a shallow grave in Constitution Hill, St. Andrew.