The long delay in getting a retired policeman to testify at the trial of the two men charged with the murder of 48-year-old gas station operator, Sylvia Edwards, has resulted in the men being granted bail.

Rupert Wallace, 44, businessman of Garveymeade, St Catherine, and Rohan Masters, 26, labourer, of a Kingston address, were offered bail in the sum of $500,000 with sureties.

The court was told that the policeman, who is a vital witness, was living overseas. The trial has been set for November 17.

Edwards was kidnapped along Red Hills Road, St Andrew, in July 1999.

When a demand for a ransom of $200,000 was not met, she was killed.