ST JAMES, Jamaica – The attorney representing a 34-year-old man, who allegedly stabbed another to death on Bevin Avenue in Montego Bay, St James in March, informed the court that his client will argue self-defence.

“On the footage, you can see where the deceased struck the accused twice, and it was then that the accused retaliated, so self-defence is alive and well, and it is clear on the footage,” attorney-at-law Jermaine Campbell said on Wednesday in the St James Parish Court.

His client, Delmar Elson, is charged with murder, following the death of 29-year-old Romain Legister, who is also from Montego Bay in the parish.

The court was informed on Wednesday that the statement from the justice of the peace (JP) and Elson’s medical were still outstanding.

Campbell was robust in his argument about the Crown’s slow pace of providing the documents required to proceed and pointed out that his client had been in custody since March.

He also reminded the court that on the previous mention date, presiding judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley had instructed that the JP be contacted for a statement and that the file be completed and ready for her perusal in order for her to make a decision on the issue of bail. In addition, he stated that the medical certificate was critical to his client’s defence.

A committal hearing was subsequently set for September 29 and Elson was remanded in police custody.

The prosecution’s bundle is expected to be prepared and served by September 19.

It was reported that around 7:00 am on March 17, both men had a disagreement.

The police said during a dispute, a pair of scissors was used to stab Legister in the chest.

Legister was assisted by residents to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he died while being treated.