Man held in police raid charged for 2020 murder
ST JAMES, Jamaica – A man who was held in a police operation on Wednesday has been charged in connection with a murder that occurred in 2020.
Charged with murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition is Ashani Jemar James, a 26-year-old fisherman from Bottom Road in Orange district, St James.
James is charged for the death of Leverbia Clayton otherwise called Rasta, a 39-year-old graphic artist from Over River district, also in St James. Clayton was killed on May 3, 2020.
It was reported that about 5:10 pm, both men were in Over River district when they had an argument.
It is alleged that during the argument, a firearm was pulled, and several shots fired at Clayton. He was hit in several places, including in his neck.
James reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle. The police were summoned and upon arriving, saw the victim lying along the roadway in blood. He had what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
He was transported to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was later taken to the morgue.
About 5 am on August 3, 2022, officers from the St James division carried out an operation in search of James at his place of residence. The accused man was arrested and later gave a caution statement concerning the murder.
A question-and-answer session was conducted, and he was subsequently charged.