Judge denies bail for music producer, Linval ‘Shab Don’ Thompson Jr, co-accused
MONTEGO BAY, St James – Popular dancehall music producer, Linval ‘Shab Don’ Thompson Jr and his murder co-accused, Tajay Clark, had their renewed bail application denied when they made an appearance in the St James Circuit Court on Friday. They are set to face trial on January 8.
The men are accused of the 2022 triple murder of 27-year-old Chadwell Frazer, otherwise called ‘Bomb Brain’ or ‘Chad’; 24-year-old Chamario ‘Chippy’ Calvin; and 26-year-old Toniann ‘Too Fly’ Reid.
The deceased men were reportedly shot at a birthday party on Marl Road in Rose Heights, St James, on May 25.
READ: Shab Don remains in custody on murder rap
Thompson is being represented by King’s Counsel, Tom Tavares- Finson while Clarke is being represented by Khadine Coleman.
When the case was called up in court on Friday, the lawyers made the renewed application on the grounds of a change in circumstances. However, this was denied by High Court Justice Bertram Morrison who was not convinced.
The case was first set for trial last November but hit a snag.
According to Tavares-Finson, two witnesses did not show up for court. The witnesses had also reportedly pointed out Thompson Jr in an identification parade but Tavares-Finson has questions. He pointed out that there were claims that the accused men were wearing masks.
Tavares-Finson said information later came through the media that at least one of the witnesses was held and charged with murder in the state of Florida. This was confirmed by the prosecution on Friday.
“In my view, bail could be considered because of what had happened, when the officers went to the scene of the murder. The witnesses had indicated that the perpetrators were wearing masks and they could not identify them,” stated Tavares-Finson.
For her part, Coleman agreed with Tavares-Finson, claiming that while the allegations are serious, no identification parade was held and therefore there is nothing linking her client to the offences. She also revealed that Clark requires surgery to remove a foreign object from a section of his body. She said the surgery cannot be facilitated while he is in custody and further details can be provided to the court if required.
Besides, Coleman said her client who lives outside of St James has denied the allegations and has maintained that he was nowhere near the incident when it took place. She added that her client is looking forward to his day in court when it is expected that he will be vindicated.
Coleman said her client is not a flight risk and is willing to adhere to whatever conditions the court may choose to impose.
Tavares-Finson in making his bail application, said the court could require that Thompson Jr should not be seen in the parishes of Trelawny, St James or Westmoreland. He also said he is not aware of any suggestions of his client being a flight risk.
However, the crown said it opposed the application noting that the incident took place around 4:00 pm and the witnesses saw the accused men’s faces.
“In fact, Mr Thompson was pointed out in an ID parade by both witnesses,” the crown stated
The crown pointed out that when the case came up in court in the past, a bail application was denied.
“The only thing that has changed since then is that one of our main witnesses has received some serious threats, my Lord, and had to be relocated. Not only that, but it has come to our attention that even the investigating personnel in this case, my Lord, is also under threat,” the crown said.
However, similarly to Tavares-Finson, Justice Morrison was concerned about claims that the men were wearing masks. But, the crown argued that the witnesses saw Thompson Jr who they knew and were able to make an ID. The crown later tried to clear up the apparent ambiguity by revealing that while the men were wearing masks, their faces could be seen.
This is not the first time Thompson Jr has reportedly found himself in trouble with the law. In October 2021, Thompson was charged with breaching the Corruption Prevention Act after he allegedly offered a policeman $2 million after the police reportedly found a loaded illegal gun in a motor car he was travelling in in Old Harbour, St Catherine.
Thompson Jr and his co-accused, Romario ‘BMR’ Scott, were charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
READ: Shab Don heads to court today for bribery charge
Scott pleaded guilty last year in April and is currently serving a six-year and one-month prison sentence while Thompson Jr was freed of the gun-related charges.
