VIDEO: Businessman arrested in ‘Bunny’ Francis murder probe

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

POLICE yesterday arrested a local businessman in connection with the 2011 murder of high-profile player in the local fishing industry, Roderick ‘Bunny’ Francis.

The police have not released the identity of the man.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green said the man is to be interviewed today.

Yesterday, homicide detectives and members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) swooped down on an upscale property at Millsborough Avenue in St Andrew where they removed several computers and other items.

The more than three-hour operation drew the attention of several residents in the area.

“I was at home when I saw the police and members of the JDF come into the area, but up to this point I am not sure what is taking place,” said one man in the community as a large police team combed the property.

Four men are now before the court in relation to the murder.

They are: 42-year-old Carlos Batista of Allerdyce Drive, Kingston 8; 27-year-old George Gardner; 36-year-old Sheldon Watson, and Yuton Welsh, all of Kingston addresses.

Sixty-six-year-old Francis was shot dead outside his Queensway home in St Andrew in July 2011.

According to investigators, men posing as if their vehicle had broken down in the area pounced on Francis and other members of his family as they exited their home.

The assailants fired a barrage of shots at the group, hitting Francis in the back before they escaped. No other person was injured in the assault.

Francis was rushed to the nearby Andrews Memorial Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

The murder shocked Francis’s family and friends.

Francis had reportedly received several death threats before he was killed.