WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The Westmoreland police have laid murder charges against a sister and her stepfather who are alleged to have killed 38-year-old labourer Alwayne Beckford.

Beckford was reportedly hit with a stone during a confrontation with his relatives on Monday at Hertford in Petersfield in the parish. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Charged are 62-year-old Royston Dennis otherwise called ‘Shot’ and Beckford’s sister, 24-year-old Sherika Dennis otherwise called ‘Rika’.

According to a well-placed Observer Online police source, the two were charged after a witness statement following a question-and-answer session. Both accused remain in police custody.

Another sister who was also allegedly involved in the dispute, a 17-year-old, is expected to be charged on Friday.

Reports from the police indicate that Beckford was at home with his fiancé when an argument developed between him and one of his sisters. During the argument, it is alleged that the three family members, including his sisters, began hurling stones at Beckford, one of which reportedly hit him on the left side of his head, causing a wound that bled profusely.

READ: Man killed during alleged dispute with sisters in Westmoreland

Beckford later collapsed and was rushed to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

–          Kimberley Peddie