ST JAMES, Jamaica — Music producer Linval ‘Shab Don’ Thompson Jr and his co-accused, Tajay Clark, are scheduled to return to the St James Circuit Court on February 19 to stand trial in connection with a triple murder.

The trial date was scheduled on Wednesday when both men appeared in court. They have been remanded in custody.

They are accused of killing 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 three men were reportedly shot at a birthday party on Marl Road in Rose Heights, St James, on May 25, 2022.

Thompson Jr is being represented by King’s Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson and attorney Donahue Martin, while Clarke is being represented by Khadine Coleman.

When the case was called up before High Court Justice Judith Pusey on Wednesday, it was disclosed that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had indicated that the case could not move forward as a vital witness for the prosecution is currently overseas in custody. Arrangements are being made for him to give evidence.

The ODPP asked for additional time to determine if this is feasible.

“This is not the first time the court was being told this. In fact, the witness in question is in jail in Florida on a murder charge and is very unlikely to be available as a witness in this matter,” Tavares-Finson said.

According to reports, Calvin, Frazer, and Reid were among patrons at a birthday party being held on Marl Road in Rose Heights on May 25, 2022, when a motor vehicle pulled up.

Men alighted from the vehicle and fired on patrons before fleeing. Calvin, Frazer, and Reid were subsequently pronounced dead, while two other persons were wounded in the incident.

This is not the first time Thompson Jr has reportedly found himself in trouble with the law. According to a police report, in October 2021 members of the Specialised Operations SWAT team searched a vehicle in which Thompson Jr and co-accused Romario “BMR” Scott were travelling in Old Harbour, St Catherine. The cops reportedly found a loaded illegal firearm. It is alleged that Thompson Jr tried to bribe the police officer with a sum of $2 million. He was charged with breaching the Corruption Prevention Act and, like Scott, slapped with gun charges.

Scott pleaded guilty in April 2022 and is currently serving six years and one month for possession, and four years and one month for possession of ammunition in prison. The sentences are running concurrently.

Thompson Jr was later freed of both gun and bribery charges.