Backlog in autopsy reports holding up murder case
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – A backlog of pending autopsy reports has slowed legal proceedings against a Hanover resident accused of fatally shooting a man and injuring a woman on Market Street in Montego Bay, St James in December 2023.
Thirty-four-year-old Oraine Anderson, otherwise called ‘Proper’, a chef of Bamboo district in Hopewell, Hanover, is charged with murder, wounding with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, and using a firearm to commit a felony. He is being represented by attorney-at-law Tamika Spencer-Anderson.
When the case was called up for mention in the St James Parish Court on Thursday, the clerk of the court disclosed that the file had not been completed as the post-mortem report was not available.
“On the file, I see a note that the autopsy has not yet been done,” the clerk said.
“Any objection counsel? The post-mortem has not yet been done in respect of these matters. I gather that that department has some backlog and it is taking a longer period for the post-mortem examinations to be completed, the judge said, addressing Spencer-Anderson.
The lawyer then informed the court that she had been made aware of video footage from Jamaica National that she was interested in and that the financial institution might be able to assist the Crown and the defence in this matter.
Fairclough-Hylton then gave instructions for the investigating officer to make a concerted effort to figure out the most effective way to retrieve the footage.
The case was subsequently set for mention again on May 2 and Anderson’s bail was extended.
Reports from the Montego Bay police are that about 11:48 am, Wesley Reid was walking along the roadway with a female relative.
They were reportedly approached by an armed man who opened gunfire hitting them.
The police were summoned and the injured individuals were taken to hospital, where Reid was pronounced dead and the woman treated.
Intense investigations led to Anderson turning himself in alongside his attorney on January 31.