KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier, who is charged with the shooting death of 31-year-old Oshine Lawrence, was on Thursday offered $600,000 bail when he appeared in the Corporate Area Criminal Court.

Theophilous Tracey was offered bail with strict conditions including surrendering travel documents and a curfew. The 43-year-old was offered bail following an application made on his behalf by his attorney Peter Champagnie QC.

Tracey is charged in relation to the February 26, 2022 incident in which Lawrence’s lifeless body was discovered in a motor car belonging to Tracey about 4:00 am.

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It is alleged that Tracey was found at his quarters at Up Park Camp later that morning and asked to produce his licensed firearm but he failed to do so.

READ: Soldier ‘refuses to hand over firearm’ after woman’s body found in car

When interviewed by the police, Tracey claimed that he was the victim of a robbery which included an attack by the deceased and four men.

The JDF soldier claimed that he had discharged his firearm in an attempt to defend himself. Tracey also claimed that during the incident one of the men overpowered him and took his firearm forcing him to flee the scene.

He is set the return to court on July, 28.

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